WEST MICHIGAN (Feb 20, 2014)– A Muskegon County mother continues to use the tragedy of losing her daughter to road rage to drive the point home about its dangers.
It has been nearly 12 years since her daughter, Diyamond Foster, was killed, but the wound never really closes for Kay Shabazz.
“Diyamond was 20 years old and she was killed July 15, 2002,” she recalled.
It happened just past Coopersville as Diyamond headed to Muskegon to pick up her young daughter.
“Diyamond got into the passing lane to pass and didn’t see the person coming up behind her,” explained Shabazz. “That person started cursing her out and calling her names and pointing fingers and all of that.”
Shabass said Diyamond and her cousin tried to speed up to get a look at the man’s license plate number.
“He literally hit them,” said Shabazz. “Diyamond lost control and losing control, her head went under the car. She was sort of thrown out of the car.”
Dyamond’s cousin survived. The man drove away. His own wife turned him in. He served six months in jail for leaving the scene of an accident causing death.
Road rage was always something Shabazz heard about. But when it took her daughter away from her, Shabazz knew she had to warn others.
She formed ROARR, which stands for Reaching Out Against Road Rage. The message is something all new drivers learn about in drivers training. But it’s a lesson for everyone.
Shabazz said she will always wonder if she did enough to protect her daughter, but she says if she can get through to just one person and make them think twice about getting upset behind the wheel, it will be worth it.
Shabazz said the best thing to do in a situation like her daughter was in, is to not make eye contact with the other driver. She also advises never driving to your home if you feel you are being followed. Call the police and drive to a well-populated area.
