Marvin B. Parks

My father, Marvin B. Parks, Jr., was born June 3rd, 1925 in Roanoke, Virginia and died at the young age of 74. On December 21st, 1999, we were hit head-on by a driver who had fallen asleep at the wheel. I later found out that this driver (who I never saw), was a female shift worker and mother of four, previously worked the night shift and had only 3 hours of interrupted sleep in 24 hour period. She was later charged a ridiculous fine of $115.00 and 2 points. I suffered a closed head injury, orbital blow-out of left eye, broken nose and facial fractures, crushed bones in my chest, shoulder, and right foot. Because of the trauma, I developed bleeding ulcers and could not remember the death of my mother who died just month’s prior to my father’s tragedy.

My father, Marvin B. Parks, Jr. was an awesome father of five children and grandfather of three. He was the greatest father in the world who never deserved to be taken from us this way. His grandchildren have lost an incredible role-model. Every day is a constant reminder of what we have lost. We read the newspapers and view the evening news, and continue to hear of countless deaths from sleep deprived drivers. And we wonder just how many of us will it take to die uselessly due to the chronically sleep deprived? Please, I am pleading for you and your organizations help in funding education and research about this silent killer of the roadways. May this tragedy never hit close to you or anyone you know and love.

— Melissa Cullen