This shrine was set up at the scene of Sunday’s fatal accident on the corner of Babcock Street and Capitol Avenue. The Hartford Police Department states that “speed and reckless operation both appear to be factors in the crash” that took the life of Jerry Sturges, 29, who was driving a 2009 Toyota Corolla.
lobonick
I have never really understood the “shrine” reaction so much. Not a bad idea for a couple of days, but how long does it stay there. Does it stay up forever ? Do the people that put up the shrine take it down ? Did the people who put up the shrine even knowthe victim ? Why the bottles of booze ? This accident most likely involved some kind of driving while intoxicated or under the influence of something. I saw the pictures in the Courant. Somebody was going at seriously high speeds.
Another wasted life. Does the shrine say: we can do better than this ? Perhaps the money and effort on the shrine would be better spent dealing with the loved ones left behind.
Also these shrines put the person who has to remove them in a tough spot. What should they do ? Just let the memory sit there forever. If they move it, now they are going against the memory of the departed. Tough spot.
kerri provost
Right– how long is it appropriate to wait before removing a shrine? The whole area is also “roped off” for the time being, making the sidewalk unusable, which creates a little hazard for pedestrians forced onto Capitol Avenue. This morning I saw someone pass a garbage truck on the right, darting awfully close to where someone might be walking to avoid the scene.
I see a lot of shrines, both for car accidents and murders. I wonder if people think about the causes of these deaths, or just that the person has died. Do they reflect on their own behaviors?
lobonick
hartford is a big place for shrines. there was on albany avenue (just below garden st.) for the last week or so. that one was being heavily attended on a constant basis for a bit. the shrine in fact can tend to give credibility to the lifestyle that caused the death (if in fact the death is related to drugs, crime, etc.)
on another note, i have been to some of reverend brown’s sermons at the sites of hartford shootings. reverend brown goes to the site of a murder in hartford (usually some 2 – 3 days after) and gives an anti-violence speech. he is quite moving and inspirational at these meetings.
this individual here apparently was not driving in a responsible manner.