POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 39 CALEDONIA, P.E.I. - Standing near the crest of a hill beside an isolated rural road, Robert Miller vividly recalled the first and last times he saw his son Bruce. The first was in the arms of a delivery room nurse who assured him Bruce “was all boy.” The last was in a Moncton hospital where the popular Springhill police officer was brain-dead and on life-support. “The pain and heartache never end,” the Shubenacadie man said Tuesday as he stood beside a white memorial cross erected at the exact spot where his 26-year-old son was fatally injured in a head-on collision with an impaired driver two years ago. The narrow eastern Prince Edward Island road was quiet, a stark contrast to the mayhem that must have ensued after the crash in the early morning hours of May 16, 2004. More than 50 mourners of all ages held red carnations. Some held tissues to wipe away the occasional tear as a bagpiper played haunting runes of tribute that echoed against the surrounding trees. “We had so many plans...possibilities,” Mr. Miller said, thinking of moments like the much-anticipated hunting trip that never happened. His thoughts also extended to the family of the impaired driver who also died after the two vehicles collided. “I realize a local family also lost a son that night. His wrong choice to drink and drive has cost us all so much. My thoughts and prayers go to his family.” The unexpectedness and senseless tragedy of impaired driving-related crimes was a common theme as, one by one, friends, relatives and colleagues talked about Const. Miller’s life and death. Speakers included an emotional friend, Jason Hoeg, who was making his first visit back to the scene since the crash. He had been driving the vehicle in which Const. Miller was a passenger and was himself seriously injured. “I don’t know why I’m standing here today,” the Southampton, Cumberland County, man said in a shaky voice. “There must be a reason,” he said, suggesting it might be to share a survivor’s perspective of the dire consequences of drinking and driving. The friends were on their way to Charlottetown from a hunting dog competition at about 1 a.m. They had just reached the crest of a hill when another vehicle in front of them narrowly avoided being hit by an oncoming vehicle. They weren’t as fortunate. “All I remember is seeing lights,” Mr. Hoeg said. He woke up a short time later, still in his vehicle, and remained conscious throughout the ordeal. Const. Miller’s roadside cross, sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada, is the first to be erected in P.E.I. “I wish there didn’t have to be a first,” mother Margaret Miller told reporters after the ceremony. She laid the groundwork for the cross and others that will follow and firmly believes it will give passersby sober second thoughts about the perils of drinking and driving. “I think Bruce would be so honoured and pleased that he could help.” Also participating in the ceremony were P.E.I. Transportation Minister Gail Shea, MADD representatives, and police officers and clergy from Springhill. (cvonkintzel@herald.ca) By Cathy Von Kintzel Truro Bureau - May 17, 2006 Const. Bruce Miller was killed by a drunk driver in 2004. As originally published In the News... Lifetime of memories Family, friends gather to recall crash victim, erect MADD cross
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