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Caitlin's Story
 Self Portrait
Caitlin Elizabeth Weese was 17 years old and a senior at Larkin High School in Elgin. She was to graduate on May 31, 2003 and  we had planned to have her party on June 1st, 2003. Just one week before high school graduation and 3 weeks before her 18th birthday, a drunk driver hit Caitlin.

She had been out shopping for an outfit for her senior class boat trip on Lake Michigan, which was the next day.  She was on her way home, traveling west on Rt. 72 just outside of  Gilberts, when an oncoming vehicle came from around a curve from the opposite direction and came directly into her lane of traffic. She was hit on the driver’s side. She was flown by helicopter to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge where she died 2 days later from internal injuries.

The driver of the other vehicle had a blood alcohol level of .163. He also had traces of marijuana found in his blood at the time. He was  a repeated DUI offender and was driving on a suspended license.  Caitlin never saw her graduation. And on June 1st, when her party was to be, we were attending her wake.  Caitlin was so full of life and always had a smile on her face. She had everything to be excited  about. She was graduating, turning 18 and looking forward to her  sister’s upcoming wedding in which she would have been her maid of  honor. But that was all taken from her very suddenly and tragically  when someone decided to drink and drive.

Our lives will never again be the same. Our normal has become quite different. Our bad days  are really bad and other days are just okay. When Caitlin died, a part of all of us died with her. We miss her and she will forever live in our hearts.

We Love you Caitlin,
Mom, Joel and Cassi


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 In Memory of Diane