Today is a very sad day for me.. I thought I'd like to share with you why. I'll even use my journalistic skills write an article about what happened..
KISSIMMEE- Many are continuing to mourn this weekend as the anniversary of a Gateway HS student's death is again upon us. Linda Marie Couch died on January 25th 1999 at the age of 15. She was your typical high school freshmen. She went to school, watched athletic events {even if she was only there because friends were there}. She was also a part of the Gateway HS band.
The way she died will be remembered forever. On January 22nd 1999, Linda Marie was crossing a busy 6 lane highway. Her and about 9 friends had the signal to cross. As they were crossing, they may have been goofing around like typical teenagers. But that's beside the point. They had the red light in their favor.
Shortly after 6:30pm as they were crossing, a red car driven by a then mid 20's woman was running the red light. Ms. Linda was hit head on. After Linda was hit, she flew literally about 75 feet to the other side of the highway, where she landed on her head. She laid there, still moving a little and the race to save her life had begun.
This is where details of the story begin to get sketchy. According to reports, One of Linda's friends ran across the street to a local 7-11 store. The person was in a panic, but allegedly the 7-11 store would not let this person use the phone. Which meant they had to run all the way back to Gateway High School and use the phone, because that's where the next closest phone was. After a 4-5 minute adrenaline pushing run to GHS, the 911 call was made. It took several minutes to get to the scene. Linda's life was slipping away slowly. Early reports stated that she broke every bone in her body.
There are 3 fire stations near Gateway High. 1 is about a 5 minute drive away, and the other 2 are more than 15 MINUTES AWAY. Reports state that one of those 2 fire stations responded. If that is true, than that could play a key role in the reasons Linda died.
On January 25th 1999, at 1:52 pm. Linda Marie Couch died. Her parents took her off life support, and she died a few minutes later. Linda looked worse than a battered war veteran. She had cuts and scrapes all over. Her eyes were nearly swollen shut, and she was beyond comatose.
News of Linda's death did not hit GHS till 2:15 pm Monday. That is 6 minutes after the school day let out. Many did not find out about the news until Tuesday. But 1 group found out around 2:15pm on this fateful day.
The Lady Panther basketball team {which had several of Linda's friends on it} was assembling to go to Melbourne. Former GHS B-ball player Kristen Peeler came walking up and her facial expressions told it all. She was beyond hysterical. Her tears sent a shockwave through the team. It caused the team to think their game wasn't too important. It was a very quiet bus ride the entire way there. The team had to go from Kissimmee all the way to Melbourne. The bus ride there was complete silence. Very few words were spoke.
After both teams played and were defeated. it left the question.. "Even though we lost.. Did Linda really want us to play this game.." Everybody answered with a true but slow and solemn "Yes she did".
In the years since the tragedy, this story remains fresh. But one thing still remains. Linda is gone. But her spirit lives on.
A minute of silence is being held around the GHS area today at 2:15pm. Anyone is encouraged to participate
I hope you read the story. I know I'm a good writer. But this was a bit heartbreaking
I'm still very sad today 
