Father of boy killed in accident home after nearly 2 months
A Colorado Springs man is home again, almost two months after a crash killed his son and left him seriously injured.
Raphael Hameed and his five-year-old son were walking on the sidewalk near Murray Boulevard and Bijou Street on July 8, when a speeding car hit them. The five-year-old, Ishaq, died. Hameed suffered multiple injuries. His right leg was hurt so badly, it had to be amputated. After weeks in the hospital, he was released a week ago.
“Being home with my wife is like making it to shore after you almost drowned out there,” he said. “That’s my wife, she’s the shore.”
“It’s awesome,” his wife Heidi said. “It feels good to have him back.”
Raphael said he knew coming home wouldn’t be the same.
“The week before, I was nervous,” he said. “I was afraid, because I never thought about being home and my son’s not there anymore.”
But in many ways, Ishaq is still at home with the Hameeds. They have his urn, his photos and art projects he made.
“They’re more or less visual reminders,” Heidi said. “He’s firmly entrenched in here.”
The last two months have been difficult for the Hameeds, but the community’s support and their faith is keeping them strong. Raphael calls the accident a spiritual awakening.
“To me, when a child goes, it’s glory to God. It’s glory to you. You are blessed to have had this experience, to share this spirit. This spirit is so precious that (God) called it back, and God will share that with you,” he said. “It’s an honor from God that you have experienced this rare and unique soul.”
The Hameeds said they will miss their son, and they will honor him by sharing his positive attitude with the world, including Xyrjah Goldston, the suspect in the deadly accident. They have shared their feelings with Goldson’s family.
“There’s no animosities here, I don’t hate her,” Raphael said. “That’s what my son taught me, ‘Daddy, love.'”
“I have no negative emotions towards them whatsoever,” Heidi said. “I want people to love each other. I want people to remember that there is no sin too great that can’t be forgiven. If we could do this, then any and everybody can.”
