Twin's Death inspires years of activism
The Province, Vancouver BC October 22, 2006
Young Drivers, Fast Wheels:
Teenage girl losses her life with boyfriend at the wheel
It was the day after their 18th birthday and twin sisters Cara and Mairin Johnston were returning home to Richmond following successful interviews at Metrotown’s Disney Store.
IN four days, they were going to start college together. New jobs, bright futures – the Johnston twins were on top of the world.
Cara was driving her parents minivan. Mairin had opted to ride with her new boyfriend in his black Nissan 300ZX. The young driver of the sports car revved his engine and sped away from Cara at the intersection of Rumble Street and Boundary Road.
By the time Cara caught up with the couple, The Nissan was a mangled wreck and Cara’s “best friend in the world” was dead.
The Nissan -traveling at 150km/h, three times the posted limit- had skidded sideways over a grass median and into an oncoming sedan. The accident on Boundary Hill that summer day in 1994 made all the papers. Cara, now 30 and married with an infant son, remembers the horrific crash like it was yesterday. Some memories you just don’t shake, agree RCMP Cpl. Dave Williams and paramedic Ted Swan, first responders that August afternoon.
Since the accident, Cara has taken her ICBC sponsored Drive to Save Lives Tour to over 2,000 schools. She has spoken to over a million students about traffic safety, visiting schools accross Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the U.S.
“I’m not the only one who has a story.” says Cara, who tours 200 high schools annually. “There is nothing special about me or my story. The fact is we lose 90 people an hour in car crashes worldwide.”
“We cannot accept these losses. We cannot accept these losses thinking that ‘Oh, its just part of life.’ It doesn’t have to be.”
In the years since Mairin’s death, Dave and Ted have also tour high schools, sharing personal experiences from the front lines of B.C.’s crash sites with thousands of young and future drivers.
Dave ( the officer photographed in the cap) was a technical crash investigator with the Burnaby RCMP when this picture was taken. Today, he is the Richmond RCMP’s collision reconstructionist.
Ted has worked as a paramedic for 19 years. Before a recent reassignment, he attended three to four casualty collisions each week.
For the fourth and final installment of our Zero Crash Month series, we asked Cara, Dave and Ted to take a long look at this 12 year-old photograph and share their thoughts and recollections with Province Readers.
August 29th, 1994 Crash that Killed Mairin Johnston
“The point of impact was my sister’s door handle. It doesn’t matter that she was wearing her seatbelt or that there were airbags in the car. They don’t test seatbelts and airbags for 150km/h.” -Cara
“We were first car on the scene. It was one of the bigger crash scenes I’ve come across. The driver of the black car had a hip injury, his passenger was deceased. The injuires in the other car, one elderly lady had a leg fracture and the other was having a heart attack. Cara was visibly distraught at the scene.” -Ted
“Mairin and I grew up believing it was never going to happen to us. Mairin and I thought we were going to grow old together and be 80 -year-old twins running around Richmond wearing matching outfits and holding hands.” -Cara
“There are going to be days when I miss my sister more. Like when I walked down the aisle, the only person that was supposed to be my maid of honour was my sister. So I didn’t have a maid of honour.” -Cara
“Just a quick and sudden movement by the driver, overcorrection, can cause the vehicle to start to rotate and lose adhesion to the road surface.” -Dave
“We were triaging everything, the firefigthers were trying to rip the car apart, police making sure none of us get hit. It looks like organized chaos, but if you watch closely, you can see the orchestra in it.” -Ted
“they put me in an ambulance and strapped me down to the bed and – I’ll never forget – a police officer from Burnaby RCMP came into the back of that ambulance and told me, ‘I’m sorry Cara, your sister didn’t make it.’ She never made it out of the car.” - Cara
“I can recall Cara on the side of the road screaming. Screaming her sister’s name over and over again.” -Ted
“We still call them car accidents, but by definition an accident is something you can’t prevent from happening. It wasn’t an accident that killed my sister, it was a really bad choice that killed my sister.” -Cara
March 4th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Dear Cara, Thanks for coming to Marlborough High today. You made an amazing impact on all of us even though some people won’t admit it. I got alot out of your presentation, expecially considering I just got my license. Thanks again! Hope you can come next year! Best of luck for ever, and I know it doesn’t mean much but i’m sorry and stay strong, just like you have.
-Lindsay
March 14th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Cara,
Thank you for coming to Marlborough High. Your presentation touched me. Everything you said made me think about what would happen if I lost the most important person in my life. The first presentation I held myself not to cry, but I went back for the second one and I let myself go. I’m very proud of you doing this day after day, years after years, and standing in front of hundreds of people and able to speaking strongly. When you first started talking, I thought, great our class mates are going to humiliate our school. But surprisingly, you got everyone’s attention and I thought wow! Our school was never quiet for any speaker. It meant that you touched a lot of us. So anyways thank you for caring about us and I will take your advice and keep it forever. Thank you again!
-Jessica
April 15th, 2009 at 12:12 am
so you coming to musselman high and me getting all that i got out of your presentation it’s definitely a top highlight of my senior year. i wish i wasn’t a senior though so i could have the chance of hearing you speak again. you’re amazing!
kaila adams.
April 25th, 2009 at 1:04 am
Thank you for coming to our school and talking to us about how your sister died in that car crash and i do beleive that it was not accident and it is true we do lose 90 people in one hour and thats we have talk to our parents about what you have talked to us about in that one our and inspired us that you talked about how you said that our lives are saved by a little yellow or white line. thank you very much for every thing you taught us to make the right choses.
September 11th, 2009 at 4:41 am
Cara, thank you so much for coming to La Reina High School. I have been in asb and student council related organizations so i have heard a lot of inspirational speakers. But you by far were the best. You touched me so much with the compassion you put toward this cause. and you were the only speaker that has made me both laugh and cry in one assembly. thanks again, i will make the right choice.
September 16th, 2009 at 3:22 am
Thanks so much Carly for the amazing feedback on the presentation at La Reina.. It will be very hard to find a school with nicer students… You made me feel so welcome.. It moves me greatly that you enjoyed the assembly so much.. Glad to hear you will always make the right choice. Remember- We all pinky swore.
September 30th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Cara, thank-you so much for coming to Tewksbury High today. It really made an impact. I will now always think twice before getting into a car…and if I ever find myself in a bad situation in one…theres always the Pee dance!
Thank-you again, and even though you’ve probably heard this 41646464442464543546 times, I am so, so sorry for your loss. Your story truly touched me and brought tears to my eyes.
November 7th, 2009 at 5:59 am
just letting you know how much i appreciate you coming out and speaking today for us at saint albans high. you left a great impact on us and i know for myself that i’ll always think bout it. alot of kids around my school and i all agreed that it was the best essembly we”ve had and actually paid attention in. we’ve had a couple kids pass away in our school in the past 2 years and it was hard and im sure it still is hard for some students still, but you definitely opened my eyes and alot more kids at saint albans. thanks again and sorry for your loss. take care and god bless.
December 1st, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Cara,
first off i’m really sorry about her loss, and sorry wont bring her back but i am. Secondly, i’m really appreciate you coming to Grafton High and talking to us about 4 steps and your story. It really made me think alot about not texting when i drive, and i cried during your movie because me and my sister have had a not so great relationship since she went to college and that made me realize that things can change any second, and since she is in ohio, itll be that much harder. I know of people who have died in car crashes in the past 3 or so years. you opened my eyes and thank you for that. I loved your 3 P’s on how to get out of the car.. i think i might just use some. thank you so much
December 1st, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Cara, thanks so much for coming to Grafton High School. Your presentation made me realize a whole lot, and I’m glad you took the time to come talk to everyone. If anyone there got anything out of your presentation, it was me. I tried holding in my tears, but the second I looked at my good friend sitting next to me, they fell down my face. Looking at the picture above, from the scene, makes me more terrified to start driving. I’ve been scared to drive ever since me and my older brother got into a car crash. It wasn’t a horrific crash, like your sisters was, but it was still a bad one. I didn’t see it happen, I didn’t think it would be him, I didn’t think it would be me. I know now to be safe, and safer then I thought I’d be since your presentation. Thanks for everything!
December 2nd, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Cara, i go to grafton high school and i heard ur presentation. being very frank i will never forget it…ever. it was very, very touching, usually in assemblies most students go to sleep or talk and text but this one was differnent everyone was listening very carefully and by the end of the performance i heard the most applause ever. i cried very much during your presentation. i just want to thank you so much for doing what you do, you have truly changed people in good ways. i was so inspired by your presentation that i actually went home and told my parents about it…i no it sounds corny…….thank you and god bless you u have truly changed me
ps. i no you are truly busy but could you reply to me, even if it just i thank you or something…….i truly find it hard to believe that someone would actually reply to me on the enternet like this
February 21st, 2010 at 4:15 am
Cara,
You’re an amazing person!! I absolutely loved your presentation. I started crying two minutes into it, and cried throughout the whole hour. I really hope that you helped open the eyes of the students at my high school. I lost my father to a drinking and driving accident when I was only 15 months old. I’ve always been against drinking and driving, but your visit helped me realize what I can do with my opinion. You’ve really inspired me to go out there someday and tell my story, and help as many people as I can.
Thank you for your time!!
Chelsea Parks,
Hazen Union High, Hardwick, VT
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:52 pm
Cara,
Thank you so much for coming to Thomastown Attendance Center on today.! i enjoyed ur’presentation.! I wishyou could come back and tell us more.! Im sorry tohear about ur’loss i hope it gets better for you.! i evan shed a few tears today.! I couldnt imagine how it would feel to loose my bestfriend,or my mom or my sister.! I dont know what i would do.! Im writting to tell you, THAT I HOPE YOU AND UR’ FAMILY GETS BETTER IN TIME.! AND REMEMBER GOD IS ON YOUR SIDE.! You are such an INSPIRATION TO ME.!!!!
ps: I hope you’r son dosent get any taller.!LOL.!!! Be Safe.!!!
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Dear Cara
I did have time too speak to you after the presentation today but I really enjoyed it and i thought it was wonderful how you spoke about your sister with out bursting out in tears that really inspired me. When you ask us to close our eyes and think of the person we love the most i thought about my mother and sister I can not imagine life without them. Im very sorry about your sister tragic crash and just want to let you know you are a very strong woman. If no other student grasp something from your presentation i just want you to know i did. I know too be safer know and always wear a seatbelt even if im only going right down the street…..Thanks for coming to Thomaston we really enjoyed it..
P.S. iF your son gets any taller he will be taller than me and im only 5 feet lol..!!
THANKS AGAIN….TAKE CARE…GOD BLESS……
-Ciera Robinson_
February 25th, 2010 at 2:30 am
Thank you for coming all the way to Jackson Prep to share your story and hopefully save lives. I think all who heard your message were strongly affected. I told my parents about you and they too were amazed by your strength and commitment. I know you said “Sorry just doesn’t cut it,” but we’re all truly heartbroken over your family’s loss. I have several relatives who are identical twins and I know how close they are and how much your sister must have meant to you.
February 26th, 2010 at 12:35 am
hey cara my name is brook benefield i live in hurley ms and i go to east central high school in hurley im in the 11th grade u came and visited us today feburary 25 2010. i didnt get to talk to u after the assembly today cuz i have laryngitis and cant talk but the assembly really touched me i have lost family from many different ways and the only one that was in car crash i didnt know her my mother was my age when my cuzin died but she wasnt wearin seatbelt and she was flattend like pancake only her infant few month old baby daughter survived but i balled and laughed today u were really amazing me and my friends all cried and laughed. im sorry ur sister died at such young age but at least we know shes in a better place with Jesus and youll see her again someday. if i was in your shoes i wouldnt be able to talk to groups of people i would probably faint first. but i actually am about to be 18 on april 3 2010 and i dont drive im terrifed of driving i inhereted the fear from my bio logical father side of family. i go to house of praise church in hurley ms and i actually minister to lots of kids at my school well i try to last year i tried to start a Bible club but it lasted only 5 wks then the 6 people who came stopped comin starting with my bff. but as Bible says God does everything for a reason, but i have to go got essays to write for eng.
bye and thank u for the inspiring touching message today
February 26th, 2010 at 12:40 am
hey my name is brook benefield i attend east central high school in hurley ms u came and visited us on feburary 25 2010 i just wanted to say u touched me and my friends today at the assembly im sorry bout ur sisters loss i dont have a twin in fact my sister is 5 yrs old but my bff every1 says she could pass as my twin. i sent u message on fb cuz there was 2 cara fillers on fb so i sent both yall messages but i gotta go now essay for eng 3 due tommorrow if u get fb message send me friend request ill be glad to accept it.
bye and God bless u and ur family have safe trip back home
April 9th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
Hi Cara, you came to my high school today 4/9/10, Weymouth High School. Your story brought tears to my eyes as well as many other students at the school. I just want to let you know i think your doing a tremendous job with getting your message heard. I certainly heard it. I went to both presentations and loved them both. Im glad you could come to our school before you left on your flight home. Thanks again, I’ll always remember the three P’s! Hope you have a safe flight back home!
November 5th, 2010 at 12:08 am
Hi Cara, My name is Marissa and im 16 years old. i met you today at the Pennsylvania SADD conference at Seven Springs (November 4th 2010)
your story touched me and brought tears to my eyes as well as many of my friends. I am the youngest of two twin sisters and they are a year older than me . they turn 18 on February 7th and they are 45 mins apart i couldn’t imagine my life without them. i have never experienced anything that comes close to what you had to go through and i hope i never do. but i just wanted you to know that i heard every word of what you said and i will never forget it. thank you so much for being my role model and inspiring me to do more for my chapter of SADD
November 10th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Thank you so much for coming to Merritt Island High this past Tuesday, Your speach was amazing. It was funny and kept everyone paying attention, but it also made alot of people stop and think. I was a bit teary through the whole thing, but, when I saw the person I thought of when you made us close our eyes, I tackled him and busted out crying. I would hate to loose him, he’s been my best friend since we were seven. The assembly was amazing, thank you again, so much for visiting us~! <3
February 16th, 2011 at 3:50 am
Hello Cara,
Thank you so much for coming out to Williams Field High School; I can assure you that a difference was made. With the recent deaths that have tragically struck three students of our school, your message went straight to many hearts. I also have to praise you for defining “accident” for everyone; I’ve never considered the misnaming of such terrible choices people make. I also appreciated how you didn’t try to play the blame game, instead, you informed everyone that they need to be held accountable for their lives, a wonderful message for every teenager.
I, too, have a very difficult story because of the choices others made, and the choices I made. I won’t relay it to be seen publicly, but the point is that I was very touched by your message. Thank you for taking time out of your life, away from your precious baby boy, to come to my school and make a difference.
April 17th, 2011 at 12:10 am
thank you so much for coming to mt. gilead schools and telling us your story. it was really inspiring, and it was very interesting and kept mostly everybody’s attention. it deffiantly has made a huge impact on me, and your speech has been in my mind ever sense you came too our school. your goal was to have one person receive the littlest impact from it, but i’m sure you got that, plus aloot more than that.
April 27th, 2011 at 2:40 am
Thank you so much for coming to Burlington Edison highschool yesterday to talk. It really struck a chord with me. I came up to you after the first presentation and told you about my dad. I really appreciate the courage that you have to stand up in front of people and tell your story. I know eventually you won’t be able to do it any more but i’m glad that I got to see you at least once. So once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
May 1st, 2011 at 2:26 am
Thank You Cara so much for your visit to Burlington-Edison High School. Your speech was very eye opening and I’m sure helped alot of people to take a double look at things. I’ll never forget the three “P’s”.
May 5th, 2011 at 12:54 am
Cara thank you so much or coming to Richland High school today. This year one of my very close friends was killed in an ATV crash, on august 28th. I miss her very much and struggled with her death, your presentation today made the pain go away even more. It means so much to me that you would come to share your tragic story with us. You are truly an ispiration and such a strong person. God bless you & you do. Once again thank you SO much. You have no idea how much it means to all of the students at my school.
May 11th, 2011 at 1:23 am
Dear Cara,
You came to my school today May 10 ,2011. You are a great speaker , Honestly not one to listen when teachers and parents but your story was one that I really took in. It ment alot for you to come all the way to PA to share your story and I know many people that were just touched by what you said. You truely made me have a different outlook on things I take for granted.
Thank you soo much for coming to my school!
May 25th, 2011 at 2:00 am
Dear Cara,
You came to speak to my school today- Crofton House- and it was amazing. I am changed forever. You told us that if one of us took anything in, your trip up to Vancouver would be worth it… Well, I would just like to say that you really directed me in the right direction on decision making… And I know all of my friends were touched as well. Your presentaion was amazing, I was laughing half the time and crying the other half. Please, keep helping kids like us.
Thanks so much for all your time, effort, and love you put in helping us! <3
October 14th, 2011 at 4:31 am
I am so sorry Cara. I am crying and hurting for you. I could never imagine what you have been through (even though i’ve been through a lot-it is different). I could never even think about losing my sister..I am so sorry and you are such a strong woman….I admire how you are a role model to teenagers…They need to hear your story. They need to know the truth. Thank you for telling your story, as hard as it may be to tell. I love you for it…-shannon