A Split Second Change:
A young man makes the most of forgiveness
(From MAR/APR 2005 ParentGuide)

ON NOVEMBER 18, 1998, THEN-TEENAGER JUSTIN CABEZAS KILLED TWO PEOPLE. While street racing down Hillsborough Avenue at nearly 90 mph, Justin collided with a van. Inside were Cindy Murakami and her eleven year-old daughter, Chelsea. Both died at the scene of the crash.

A few years later, Justin stood before the court facing thirty years in prison for his crime. By his side was the most amazing of allies, Bruce Murakami, husband to Cindy and father to Chelsea. In an incredible show of compassion, Bruce chose to forgive Justin and asked him to work in a new organization Bruce was forming called Safe Teen Driver.

Today, Safe Teen Driver is a national nonprofit that strives to teach young drivers about responsibility on the road and in life. Both Justin and Bruce travel together giving presentations and sharing their incredible story.

Here, the ParentGuide sits down with Justin Cabezas to hear in his own words what happened that fateful day and how things are going now.

ParentGuide: What do you remember about the day of the crash?

Justin: Not a ton. What I do rememer is horribly vivid. I remember glass shards being pulled from my hands. I remember seeing the van on fire... the heat of it on my face. Most of all I remember hearing the sounds of a man screaming in agony.

PG: When you learned that two people were dead, and how did you feel?

J: Words simply don't justify the despair that I felt when I realized it was my stupidity that caused the death of someone so innocent. I know emotionally at that time I wasn't able to handle it. I really shut down.

PG: I understand that you were pretty isolated after the crash. Describe the impact this crash had on your family and friends?

J:They were stressed because of what I did and all the media attention. My family, in particular, endured quite a bit. Not being a parent myself, I can only imagine the feelings they were going through. Wanting to protect their son, but at the same time having to deal with the horrific consequences of his poor decisions.

PG: Talk about how you felt when Bruce wanted to meet you. (Bruce requested a private meeting with Justin shortly before the court date for sentencing.)

J: In my heart, I always had wanted to talk with Bruce. I 'm not saying I wasn't nervous or scared, because I was. But somewhere behind all that, there had always been that desire to atone. I think I probably went through a hundred different things I was going to say. But when I got there, nothing really came out rehearsed. I was too emotional for that.

PG: What was going on in your mind when you heard that Bruce wanted to work with you?

J: I had somehow hoped that I could find a way to make things better. I feel that what we do is in the true giving spirit of Cindy and Chelsea. That is why I continue working with Bruce today, long after my community service has expired (The judge granted Bruce's request for leniency, and Justin was sentenced to house arrest and community service). I feel that this in some small way benefits the world and that is the greatest memoriam I can give to them.

PG:How did it feel working with Bruce at that first presentation?

J: Powerful, extremely emotional. I still relive some of those feelings every presentation. It's comforting, however, to know those feelings are passed on to the audience. The honesty of those emotions in the presentation is what truly makes it work.

PG: Talk about your greatest accomplishments with Safe Teen Driver.

J: I don't know really how to answer that.To me, the accomplishment is the existence of Safe Teen Driver. Every day, I see the program grow a little more, affecting more and more people. Eventually it will grow to mammoth proportions. It will raise awareness of this problem to the degree MADD does with drunken driving. So many lives will be saved. It really is amazing to be a part of something so positive.

PG: Describe your relationship with Bruce today.

J: Bruce is a great friend.He is somewhat like family. He knows the worst thing I've ever done in my life and has forgiven me for it.

PG: What is the most important thing you want to say to young drivers?

J: Slow down! It 's all about responsibility. You have to understand that you are responsible for every action you choose to make. If you want to be the cause of someone dying, then follow the same path I took. If not, choose more wisely.

For more information on Safe Teen Driver, visit
www.safeteendriver.org or www.touchedby.com