Relic designer Brian Wood died in a car accident on Friday, sacrificing his own life so that his wife and unborn child would survive. Wood swerved his car into an out-of-control Chevy Blazer that was on a collision course with his Subaru wagon, ensuring that his side of the vehicle would take the full force of the impact.
Wood's final act saved the lives of his family members at the cost of his own.
“All the policeman say that if we had hit the car head-on all of us would be dead," says wife Erin Wood. "At the very last second (Brian) braked really hard and turned right so that he would be put in the path of the SUV and not me and the baby, and that is the only thing that saved us both. I am not going to waste the gift he gave us."
There was evidence of drug use on the part of the Chevy drivers. Two of the occupants were killed while the driver is in custody, facing three charges of vehicular homicide and one charge of vehicular assault.
It is fitting that Brian Wood worked at Relic, and on the Company of Heroes series. If there was any word to describe him, "hero" would most definitely be it.
North Van dad-to-be's final act saves family [The Province. Thanks to Reaprar and Matt for letting us know]
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
8:40 AM on 09.07.2010
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Someone should make sure to tell that kid what his/her dad did for them.
I can only hope that should such a situation ever present itself to me that I could be so blessed as to protect the ones I loved. Even at the cost of my own life.
I would disagree with Jim calling Brian a hero, as I am uncertain that word can properly do him justice. Tho for lack of a better word should such a word exist, hero will suffice.
He's a hero.
I don't know if I would have the bollocks to be as brave as he was. That is the ultimate sacrifice for a hope that it would perhaps save his family. That man is a hero in every sense of the word.
People calling every jarhead that went over to Afghanistan a "hero" just for going there really ruins the meaning of the word.
This man is SO MUCH more than any of them.
But then there are these stories, that give us hope that some people are capable of such acts of love.
Requiescat in pace.
@Amtalx, drivers are more likely to survive because of airbags. Not all cars, certainly not older ones, have passenger airbags, and fewer have anything for suckers in the back seat, but the steering wheel bag is in the best position, more likely to be effective than a passenger side bag if one is even present. If a person isn't belted, the rear seats can be even more dangerous in a crash.
The Chevy driver will be out on bail within 5-10 years.
His child should not have to grow up without the hero that is his father..
@ Sexualchocolate
Wow, you really can't make a post without including a demeaning/antagonizing sentiment, can you?
What an amazing human being Brian Wood must have been.
He may never have got to have met his child, but he was a fantastic dad.
Proof positive gaming can teach real life skills. Twitch reflexes anyone?
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. RIP.
Just like Aurain said it's a shame his child will never known his or her Dad personally, but they will always know that their Dad quite literally gave everything he possibly could to them.
RIP Brian Wood, what a wonderful husband and father.
The paragon of mankind, saving others
The ultimate sacrifice! a true hero!
Understood. I was more concerned with the lack of justice. A perfectly good guy with a wife and kid gets snuffed out, while a strung out asshole on drugs gets to keep his life.