Daniel Markovic
The Markovic family continue to fight for road trauma to end
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22929043-2862,00.html
Every night in the Markovic family home, the last person to go to bed blows out three candles near a photograph of their son and brother, Daniel, as a way of saying goodnight.
The family from Werribee, in Melbournes west, changed forever in May 2004 when Daniel, 22, was killed by a drunk driver.
"Daniel was killed instantly, we were told, whatever that means," his mother Margaret said.
Mrs Markovic was among dozens of people who attended a road trauma remembrance service at Victorias Parliament House.
Grieving relatives sobbed softly or simply stared as various speakers shared their experiences and offered prayers from all religions.
Mrs Markovic told the service how a driver, after drinking a slab of beer, travelled 150km from Bendigo to Melbourne, taking another slab with him and stopping for heroin on the way.
With a blood alcohol concentration of 0.266, he slammed into the back of the Daniels car at a set of stop lights.
"He (the driver) was taken to hospital, our Daniel was taken to the morgue," Mrs Markovic said.
The crash happened at 2.20am (AEST) on May 27, 2004 and the driver was later sentenced to eight years in jail with a minimum of six years, she said.
Daniel wasnt driving his own car, hed sensibly taken the keys from one of his mates, whod had a few of drinks that night, Mrs Markovic said.
"Every part of my being, physically, spiritually and emotionally is now forever in darkness," she told the service.
The faces of her husband Danny and daughter Lisa, now aged 21, had changed, she said.
Mrs Markovic said she did not believe her husband would ever recover.
"He sees himself as a walking dead man, the death of Daniel completely consumes him," she said.
The Victorian road toll stands at 293, compared to 304 for the same time last year.
Road Trauma Support Team Victoria chief executive Julie Parke said for every one of those deaths, there were hundreds of people affected by the loss - and many more severely injured.
She said Mrs Markovics story was "all too common".
Victorian Minster for the Transport Accident Commission Tim Holding said the service was about recognising the trauma suffered by families and those who suffered serious injuries as well as reaffirming the states commitment to reducing the road toll.
The candles in the Markovic house were lit every evening for the family meal, as a way of including Daniel.
Mrs Markovic said her son had been a free spirit who managed a band.
She told the service that she was not convinced time would heal all wounds.
"There is no healing for any of us," she said, "nor can a shattered heart mend."
