Nichole
"Nikki" Deffries
March 13, 1984 - April 4, 1998
Laughed often and loved much
Nikki Deffries was
killed by a drunk driver on April 4, 1998. She had just turned 14
years old. She was walking down a road with her best friend when
she was struck from behind by a drunk driver. Fortunately, her
friend was uninjured. The driver -- a Canadian citizen living and
working near Marysville, Washington -- had a blood-alcohol level
of 0.14. The driver was sentenced to only two and one-half years
(because he had a "clean" record) and, after serving
his sentence, will be deported back to Canada.
Dad's
Memory:
I'll
never forget that phone call at 11pm on April 4th 1998 from my 17
year old son Greg. The words still haunt me, "Dad, I think
Nikki's dead!" I jumped in my car --I was shaking like crazy
-- "This cant be happening!" It took Wendy (Nikki's
step-mother) and me 30 minutes to reach the accident scene which
was only a mile from Nikki's home, where she lived with her
mother and brother Greg. As I arrived, I went running into the
accident scene but was stopped by a police officer. The officer
hung his head down and said, "I'm sorry, sir." I was
devastated.
Nikki's
shoe was still on the road where she had stood before the impact
threw her body 30 feet into a nearby ditch. I could see the flash
of cameras as investigators photographed the scene and Nikki's
lifeless body. She had died instantly of a blunt impact to her
head. She had a broken leg, ruptured spleen and numerous
abrasions from scraping the road surface. My heart was torn apart
that night, knowing I would never see my daughter again.
Steve
Deffries
She was a caring and thoughtful person. Nikki Deffries loved her
family and friends. She always thought of others and tried to
help whenever she could. A good kid who never did drugs or
alcohol, she enjoyed swimming, camping and living life to the
fullest. She leaves behind her 18 year old brother Greg;
step-brother Kody, 11; and eight year-old half-sister Kristina
who doesn't understand why her "Sissy" is gone. They
all miss her so much.
God, teach me how to laugh again, and may I never forget why I
cried.
To my Darling Daughter Nikki,
It's been one year since you've been gone,
but our love for you still lives on,
We miss you so much each and every day,
but your strength has helped us grow in every way,
Our thoughts are filled with the way you were,
Always helping, caring, sharing and loving, thats for sure.
We know that heaven's a place to be,
and when we get there, we're sure to see,
the most beautiful angel that could ever be.
Love Dad
Nikki was the focus of the Emphasis Patol on August 6th , 1999 in Snohomish County. Everyone that was pulled over got a flyer that night. Twelve motorists were pulled over for
driving under the influence.
It occured to me the other day
you've been gone now a couple years
and I remember where I was
when the word came about you
it was day much like today
the sky was bright and wide and blue
and I wonder where you are
and if the pain ends when you die
Today my heart is big and sore
it's trying to push right through my skin
won't see you anymore
I guess that's finally sinking in
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