When Destiny Mantia took this photo, she had no idea her life was about to fall apart.
Destiny and her husband, Corey, were only 15 and 16 years old when they met at a football game.
Three years later, they were married. Shortly after, Destiny became pregnant. On June 23, 2013, their son, Parker, was born, and they started their family.
Destiny and Corey had dreams of buying a house and having children together.
“He was super funny and caring and would always help anyone that needed it. We talked non-stop. Not a day went by that we weren’t together. We did everything together,” Destiny shared with ABC News.
However, on September 20, 2014, a tragic event shattered their happiness.
A year later, Destiny shared her heartbreaking story on Facebook:
Corey Mantia went to work like any other day while Parker and I spent the day together at home. After Corey returned, we played with our son and prepared for a mortgage appointment.
We were hopeful for our future as a family, not knowing that everything would change in a matter of minutes. Our dreams of buying a house, watching Parker grow up, and expanding our family vanished.
Tragically, a drunk driver crashed into us on the way to the appointment, instantly taking the life of our 15-month-old son and later causing Corey’s passing. Our family was torn apart.
The impact of that moment will never leave me,” Destiny expressed.
At 21 years old, I lost my husband and my son due to one person’s reckless decision to drink and drive.
I have since faced unimaginable pain and suffering, experiencing things no young adult should ever endure. However, with the support of loved ones and fellow widows, I’ve found strength to keep going.
I urge everyone to prevent such tragedies by never driving under the influence. Let’s stop this menace together. One life lost is one too many.
Destiny’s poignant message has resonated with over 60,000 people, spreading awareness about the devastating consequences of irresponsible actions.
Today, Destiny continues to navigate life without her beloved husband and son, facing each day as a new challenge.
The drunk driver, responsible for the tragedy, also perished in the accident, leaving Destiny without closure.
“I wish she had apologized,” Destiny expressed. “There were numerous people at the event where she drank who could have prevented this senseless loss.”
In a single moment captured in a photograph, a world of happiness turned to grief because of a preventable choice. Choose safety. Save lives. Together, we can end drunk driving.
Share Destiny’s story to raise awareness and prevent the devastating impact of drunk driving. Your actions could save a life.
