Mila Rainof Dies After Being Struck by a Car

According to Yale Daily News, Mila Rainof, a 27-year-old, fourth year medical student at Yale School of Medicine, was hit by a car on Saturday, April 19 and pronounced brain-dead the following morning. Those close to her think she had just completed a workout, was going back to her apartment, when she attempted to cross an intersection partially blocked by a delivery truck. Rainof was unable to see the oncoming traffic when she entered the intersection against the light. Two SUVs were able to avoid striking her, but a sports car to the rear of one of the SUVs did not see her as the driver accelerated to enter the freeway on-ramp.

In my experience, a high school friend was killed in a vehicle-pedestrian accident. He had a flat tire and was attempting to change the tire. The area in which the car stopped was not a well lit. He had completed changing the tire and was putting on the lug nuts when a car headed his direction. Authorities figured that he realized that the car was driving a bit erratic and he moved to the front of the car. However, the car crashed into his car and then into him.

Much like Mila Rainof, Deron's head slammed into the pavement and he suffered serious brain injuries. After several weeks and several surgeries to try to reduce welling and removing a portion of the top of the skull, he succumbed to his injuries. His parents also donated his organs, just as Rainof's donated her organs.

In a situation like this, many people find it difficult to cope with a sudden loss such as this. It is devastating for anyone to be killed in such a manner, but even worse when it involves someone who is so young and has yet to reach his or her prime. However, there are several ways to cope with such a loss.

Organ Donation

This does not replace the loved one that was lost, but to many people that have lost someone in a tragic accident, they find comfort in knowing that because he or she died, many other people will be given the gift of life. Deron's parents found it even more comforting to meet some of the donors that received his organs. This was at the request of the recipients, but it gave the family a bit of closure.

Counseling

This is a different loss from someone who dies of natural causes or of old age. The devastation can leave a person bitter at the person responsible for the rest of their lives. My friend's parents were able to go to counseling and support groups to meet other people that had dealt with the same or similar situations.

Memorials

My friend's sister and younger brother found more comfort in making a small memorial in his honor at the place where the accident occurred. This was their way of dealing with their loss. Other people may deal in different ways, but it is best for those closely affected by the loss to deal with it in any way they see fit.

Vindication

My friend's family and friends wanted to make sure that the person that ran into and eventually killed him, did not go unpunished. They did what they could to make sure that the driver who was drunk, unlicensed, and driving a stolen car paid for the crime that he committed. Working towards the goal of getting people like this off the road can make family and friends feel better, even under the circumstances.

Education

This is one of the best methods of dealing with a loss. As my friend's sibling got older, they would talk to their classmates and students are various schools and warn them of not only avoiding drinking and driving, but of being aware of their surrounding when they drive. By this, they warned others if in a place with bad lighting, to drive to a safer, well-lit location to change times, or whatever the car needs.

Source:
Bharat Ayyar, "Rainof MED '08 dies after crash", Yale Daily News