Last Saturday night/Sunday morning my nephew, DUSTIN TYLER OWENS, was on his way home from a friend's house when the wheel of his truck struck the ditch. Dustin lost control of the truck, and not wearing his seatbelt, he was thrown from the truck. The truck flipped in the air and landed on Dustin, killing him instantly. He was 23 years old.

Dustin was only 20 feet away from his parents' driveway when the accident happened. His father (my brother, Rick) and his younger brother, Zachary, heard the accident happen and rushed outside. They found the truck laying in the grass still running with Dustin trapped underneath. They tried to lift the truck off of Dustin by themselves as Dustin's mother and sister called 911. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

As you can imagine, my family and I have been in shock ever since we got the word that Dustin had been killed in this awful accident. He was only 23 years old, and such a beautiful person, inside and out. Dustin wanted to be cremated, so we are having a memorial service on Friday for him in Maryville, Tennessee (where he lived), and then everyone is invited to a bonfire/cookout/storytelling party at Dustin's favorite hangout by the lake because that is what Dustin loved to do and what he would have wanted.

I know that no one here knew my nephew, but I'm just asking that because y'all know me, and you are friends of mine, to say a prayer (or whatever you do) for my family right now because we are in a tremendous amount of pain over the loss of our baby, Dustin. Today is the first day I have been able to eat anything or even get out of bed. I was very close to my nephew and I love him very much.

Y'all know that I am a Christian, and I am relying very heavily on my faith right now for comfort and for answers to the question "why", but my heart is broken. I can only imagine how my brother feels right now losing his oldest son. But please keep us in your kind thoughts is all I'm asking.

Love, your friend,
Halochild

. . .

So sorry for your loss, Halo. Hope the healing can soon begin. Keep strong.

For you, my sweet Dustin. You are as free as a bird now. But you always were.

Thank you so much, Sharker, that means the world to me, man. The funeral is tomorrow (Friday). It's gonna be so hard to say goodbye. I remember holding Dustin when he was a baby. Thank you for caring, my friend.

Love,
Halo