Matt was born April 24th 1981 weighing 2 pounds and 11 Ounces. 4 years later Matt had the privilege of becoming a Big brother. Matt and his sister had a unique relationship, loving and caring for each other deeply. He loved life and lived everyday to the fullest.
He was one of the original members of the Omaha Vipers Inline Roller Hockey Team, which grew into The Omaha Vipers Hockey Club with 165 members and a team in 6 different age groups. His team won 3 Regional Championship’s and 1 National Championship which they won in Chicago.
He learned how to play the drums and he used those talents to form a small band with his friends. They had played for several parties at the house in Benson and were to play their 1st paid gig two week after the accident.
We took family vacations to Colorado, hiking, biking, off-roading, fishing, camping and the enjoyment of being together.
Friends were an important part of Matt’s life and his family.
Matt had the ability to use his hands to draw and create. He loved taking things apart and putting them back together. Those talents made him a valued carpenter.
Matt was a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and a friend to everyone he met.
On April 21, 2004 his cousin, Erin, had her baby at Methodist Hospital. This was the first baby of the family and the last picture we have of Matt was taken holding Ella. That night as we were leaving the Hospital we said our last good-by.
That next Saturday morning at 12:30a.m. as he was walking home with his friends he was hit and killed by an under aged drunk driver. He and his friends had been celebrating his birthday; he had turned 23 at midnight. The person was driving through the Benson area of Omaha at over 60mph, and hit Matt in the middle of the street. The right side of his head hit the windshield and throw him 38ft. She drove off, leaving him in the street. We understand he was killed immediately. The Police found the driver 4 hours later. Her blood alcohol was .135 at that time. We later learned the 19 year old young lady, had three prior Minor in Possession violations and was on Probation for a DUI.
At the time in Nebraska it was a misdemeanor to leave the scene of a personal injury crash. So, the person was rewarded for leaving the scene. Because when they leave, the state can’t prove they were drunk. Even if the driver admits they had been drinking before the accident, and four hours after had an alcohol level of .138. If they had stayed, it would have been a felony, punishable by up to 5 years in jail. Instead they received a sentence of 1 year each count for Misdemeanor Vehicular Homicide and Misdemeanor Leaving the Scene of an Accident. This loop hole needed to be closed and the law changed. On July 12 at midnight the Law went into effect. Ten days later the Law went into effect in Iowa.
On that night our son was taken from us. With him went his dreams and that of his family. We were blessed with 23 fantastic years. Matt will forever be in our hearts and those of friends.
The night Matt was taken from us. We made a promise at the Hospital, that he would not be forgotten. Somehow and in some way we would make the world know and remember him. The follow are only a few of the things his family and friend have worked on to keep his name alive.
Because Matt was killed on his 23rd birthday, April 24 is now Matt’s Day. On that day his family and friends gather at the gravesite to release balloons with a message on small card attached to the string. It was just another way to remember and again say good-bye.
Two of his friend’s got together to make a tribute to him and bring attention to all the events that have happened. They surprised us with wristbands that said “Matt’s Law” and each wristband was wrapped around a folded sheet of orange paper. On it they told the story of Matt and their love for him. The story started with:
“This is about our wonderful friend Matt. Not wishing to sound like stories you’ve heard before about an only son, brother, grandchild, cousin, a best friend, a forgotten acquaintance or an absolutely beautiful person inside and out. This is about a human being that was all of these and more.”
They say that a man is measured by the friends he keeps. In that case Matt must be 50ft tall.