An adage in life is that speed kills. But it's more than a saying. It's a harsh reality. Ask Abby Rike of Mabank, TX, who lost her family to a speeding driver three years ago. Now she's sharing her story as a contestant on NBC's The Biggest Loser, airing Tuesdays at 7 p.m. CST.
On The Biggest Loser's season premiere Sept. 15, Rike, of Mabank, TX, unveiled her story: In 2006 she lost her husband, her 5-year-old daughter and her 2-week-old son when a car slammed head-on into their van.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a driver named Justin Reller, 28, of Kemp was seen by a witness travelling at an estimated 100 mph before he rounded a curve - the so-called Phalba Curve - on State Highway 198 and veered into the lane of oncoming traffic. There he hit a van carrying Rike's family, killing them - and himself - at the scene.
Rike was left devastated and alone. On The Biggest Loser she said it was a battle simply to get up each day and face her life. The high school teacher sought comfort in food, and gained enough pounds to weigh 247 pounds on The Biggest Loser's fall premiere.
Contestants exercise and work each week to lose pounds, and one is voted off from among those with the smallest proportionate weight loss. Rike performed well in week one and remains in the competition.
In it, she'll vie for a Biggest Loser title and a prize of a quarter million dollars. However, like many others in the show's history, she'll largely be competing with herself - fighting to reclaim her well being, both physically and emotionally.
It's tragic that Rike or anyone should have to endure torment and then cope in such ways. But stories such as hers should be ringing wakeup calls to any and all of us who might sometimes speed, drive recklessly or drive without paying close attention to the road. Such actions can have enormous and devastating consequences for other people - people such as Abby Rike. But at least she serves as inspiration for those who believe in the sanctity of family, the power of law and the resourcefulness and courage of the human spirit.
On The Biggest Loser's season premiere Sept. 15, Rike, of Mabank, TX, unveiled her story: In 2006 she lost her husband, her 5-year-old daughter and her 2-week-old son when a car slammed head-on into their van.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a driver named Justin Reller, 28, of Kemp was seen by a witness travelling at an estimated 100 mph before he rounded a curve - the so-called Phalba Curve - on State Highway 198 and veered into the lane of oncoming traffic. There he hit a van carrying Rike's family, killing them - and himself - at the scene.
Rike was left devastated and alone. On The Biggest Loser she said it was a battle simply to get up each day and face her life. The high school teacher sought comfort in food, and gained enough pounds to weigh 247 pounds on The Biggest Loser's fall premiere.
Contestants exercise and work each week to lose pounds, and one is voted off from among those with the smallest proportionate weight loss. Rike performed well in week one and remains in the competition.
In it, she'll vie for a Biggest Loser title and a prize of a quarter million dollars. However, like many others in the show's history, she'll largely be competing with herself - fighting to reclaim her well being, both physically and emotionally.
It's tragic that Rike or anyone should have to endure torment and then cope in such ways. But stories such as hers should be ringing wakeup calls to any and all of us who might sometimes speed, drive recklessly or drive without paying close attention to the road. Such actions can have enormous and devastating consequences for other people - people such as Abby Rike. But at least she serves as inspiration for those who believe in the sanctity of family, the power of law and the resourcefulness and courage of the human spirit.
About the Author:
Jim S. Adler & Associates is an established Texas personal injury law firm with offices in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Channelview. The law firm provides a free case evaluation and represents victims of truck, motorcycle, auto, car, SUV and other traffic accidents.
