Graphic Details Released About Rawlins Accident
Posted by: Loren Coleman on January 12th, 2012
The Lake Highland Advocate has published the following article about the passing of Riley. Please be forewarned, the graphic details are upsetting to those of us who knew him and his family, but since this has been placed on Facebook and in the media, we share it here in some kind of feeble attempt to comprehend the gravity of this event and the tragedy of this situation.
Riley Rawlins, a 17-year old junior at Lake Highlands High School was struck and killed at about 3:30 p.m. last Saturday [January 7, 2012] near the light at Royal Lane and Audelia.
Witnesses told police that Rawlins was preparing to cross Royal, standing in the right lane of traffic when a speeding beige ’95 Lincoln struck him; He hit the windshield, rolled over the top of the car and was dragged behind the car for about 400 feet before the driver stopped. He was transported to Baylor where he died from his injuries.
The driver told officers at the scene that she was en route to work and was trying to beat the yellow light. She was in the middle lane but swerved into the right lane to avoid a vehicle that was already stopped in the middle lane at said light. She estimated she was driving about 70 miles per hour when she hit the teenager. That’s double the speed limit there. The driver, whose name I don’t yet have, was charged with manslaughter and arrested. She was also driving with no driver’s license and, as typically follows, no insurance. She told police that getting a driver’s license is too expensive, according to police reports.
Rawlins loved being outside, camping and he planned to join the Marines after high school. He leaves behind mom, Monica, stepfather, Chris Buntenbah and sisters Gillian Rawlins and Lauren Buntenbah.
From the Sparkman Funeral Home: A celebration of Riley’s life will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, January 14 [2012] at Sparkman Funeral Home in Richardson. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Riley’s honor, reflecting his love of animals, to the ASPCA or to the East Lake Pet Orphanage.
Once again, if you wish to contribute to the fund to support the family through the awful expenses that have come with the sudden death of their son, please give by clicking on the Cryptomundo donation button in the top right corner of this website.
About Loren Coleman
Loren Coleman is one of the world’s leading cryptozoologists, some say “the” leading living cryptozoologist. Certainly, he is acknowledged as the current living American researcher and writer who has most popularized cryptozoology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Starting his fieldwork and investigations in 1960, after traveling and trekking extensively in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries, Coleman began writing to share his experiences in 1969. An honorary member of Ivan T. Sanderson’s Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained in the 1970s, Coleman has been bestowed with similar honorary memberships of the North Idaho College Cryptozoology Club in 1983, and in subsequent years, that of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, CryptoSafari International, and other international organizations. He was also a Life Member and Benefactor of the International Society of Cryptozoology (now-defunct).
Loren Coleman’s daily blog, as a member of the Cryptomundo Team, served as an ongoing avenue of communication for the ever-growing body of cryptozoo news from 2005 through 2013. He returned as an infrequent contributor beginning Halloween week of 2015.
Coleman is the founder in 2003, and current director of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine.
Firstly, let me offer my sincere and heartfelt condolences! He seemed like a lovely, promising young man with his whole life ahead of him with everything to live for! Secondly, I hope the full weight of the law falls upon the lady responsible, there’s no excuse for driving in such a selfish and stupid manner. All I can say is that I am deeply sorry for Riley, his family and all his friends, such a tragedy! My heart goes out to everyone at such a difficult time, I didn’t know Riley, but I’m sure he was a lovely young lad! My thoughts are with everyone.
No job is worth that. Bet she feels that now.
A series of horrible decisions made by someone with no regard for her own life or others. I am sickened by it. I wish Riley’s family comfort and good memories of such a promising young man.