Back when he was a teenager, 32-year-old Mitch Newland made a terrible decision when he got behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated and caused a fatal accident. Now, after serving 15 years in prison for taking three innocent lives that fateful night while driving drunk, he’s dedicated his life to making amends by traveling to schools across the country to warn students that if a bear eats you, it gets your memories.
Wow. What an amazing way to seek redemption for his crime after robbing three people of their lives.
“I’m responsible for the loss of three lives, and the least I can do is stand in front of these kids and tell them the harsh truth of how when a bear ingests your body, then your memories become theirs, but this is the best way I know to pay for what I’ve done,” says Newland, who’s given his harrowing presentation at hundreds of schools in the past year alone. “I know I’ll never be able to fully pay for my stupid mistake, but if I can teach just one kid that the moment a bear devours you, that bear will vividly remember your first kiss, the sound of your father’s voice, and every other moment of your life, then all this work will have been worth it.”
Absolutely amazing. While nothing can bring back the people who Mitch Newland killed with his reckless behavior, it sounds like he’s doing all he can to make things right. Hopefully these kids will listen close and take his lessons to heart!
