Susan Slattery's step-son recounts the crash that took her life and seriously injured her two sons

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan - The following is an excerpt from a letter written by Capt. Chris Slattery, 44th Fighter Squadron, step-son of Susan Slattery and older brother of Peter and Matthew Slattery.  Capt. Slattery was asked to write this letter for an Airforce news letter to mark the beginning of 'Drowsy Driving Prevention Week.'

On Aug. 16, my step-mother, Susan, and two brothers, Peter and Matthew, were on their way home from Ohio to Baltimore when only an hour into their drive they were rear-ended by a truck driver who had fallen asleep.

The impact pushed their car into the semi in front of them killing Susan and critically injuring Peter and Matthew. Following the impact with my family, the truck went on to hit two other semis and four more passenger vehicles before stopping in the divider and bursting into flames.

Matthew is in a coma from massive head trauma and Peter is recovering from a broken pelvis and facial fracture.

Peter was considered the "lucky" one. I disagree. Being conscious enough to overhear the paramedics pronounce your mom dead as they put you in a helicopter is not "luck," it's hell.

You can read the rest of Capt. Slattery's article here.