| Be careful saving "roadrunners". Here is an article from News-Press.com from S.W. Florida..... Heather Lowe says she's been called a baby killer. That label is inaccurate, ugly and cruel. But tragedy inspires some folks to utter insults. Emily Kent of North Fort Myers was 6 years old when she darted onto Old U.S. 41 to rescue a wayward turtle. Driver education teachers tell you to leave yourself an out. Yet, what if there's no time? There was no way out for Emily and Heather that June 5 night near Littleton Road in North Fort Myers. "I didn't see the little girl at all,'' Heather says. "I don't know if she bent over to get the turtle or just ran in front of me.'' Despite pleas from her mother to wait, Emily's heart overruled her regard for safety. Emily only had eyes for the turtle. The selfless little animal lover was oblivious to traffic. A sickening thud followed. "It happened as quick as you can snap a finger,'' Heather says. "I stopped. I heard the little girl's mother screaming.'' Heather, 19, called her mom. "She was screaming into her cell phone: 'I hit a kid. Oh, my Lord, I hit a kid,' '' says Debra Sheffield, 52. "She was so hysterical, I thought at first she said she hit a kitten. "When I got out there, she was frozen to the steering wheel. I had to pry her little hands loose.'' Both families hoped and prayed for a miracle, but death didn't take a detour. This is the kind of calamity that shakes your faith. How could God — or whoever is calling the shots — let a Toyota strike a wonderful child trying to save a turtle? The sad story traveled worldwide and inspired acts of kindness toward Emily's family. Repeated coverage of a death takes its toll. Even though Heather wasn't at fault, she becomes a second victim. "I know that my saying 'I'm sorry' and 'I didn't mean to' is not going to bring this little girl back. I am overwhelmed with sadness for her parents.'' Heather says she wanted to express her sympathy to Emily's family, but a police officer advised against it. Too soon, he told her. That's a good call by the cop. A family reeling from this kind of fatality is in no condition to meet the unlucky driver. No charges were filed, but Heather violated her learner's permit. She was cited for driving at night and driving without a licensed adult in the car. Second victims sometimes feel a need to defend themselves. "I'm not a baby killer,'' Heather says. "I don't like living with it, just like the little girl's family. But I believe that's how they look at me. It was a tragic accident, but I have feelings, too. "I have to live with this the rest of my life.'' She's trying to deal with her despair without counseling, but says if that doesn't work she will seek professional help. The torment of this tragedy won't go away for either family. They can't explain it no matter how many times they replay it: A girl dashes to the aid of a turtle and ends up dead. How do you explain it? It is the most unjust accident in Lee County history. | 
