SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil (BNc) — A Christian man remains shaken tonight after fatally hitting a pedestrian who stepped in front of his car.
A sister in Christ, Socorro, called J. Randal Matheny this morning and said her husband Paulo Silva had hit a person in his car this morning about 6:30 a.m., on his way to work, resulting in the person’s death.
The person stepped out in front of his car, and he was unable to swerve away.
Paulo went to the police station, with members of the deceased’s family. There were witnesses, but they did not stay at the scene of the accident.
Paulo was released from the police station between 10:30-11:00 Brasilia time.
Paulo has been a Christian for many years. Matheny performed his and Socorro’s wedding. They have one son, Netinho, 1 and 1/2 years old.
“Paulo, Socorro and Netinho paid us a visit last night in our home for Bible reading and prayer,” said Matheny.
The man who was hit was 40ish, separated from his wife, with two daughters.
“Two of his brothers, ironically, live on our street,” Socorro said.
Socorro said Paulo decided to go ahead to work, but he was sent home by his company.
Paulo has been in contact with the lawyer of the company where he works.
Another brother in Christ who is a lawyer said he was going to visit the police station today and talk to the police chief, to make sure they tested for alcohol or drugs during the autopsy, which would almost automatically release him from the process, since it would suggest the victim was imprudent or even possibly suicidal.
Matheny reported in an update on his website, “I talked with Paulo by phone late this afternoon. He’s pretty shaken up.”
“There are people looking out for his well-being, and that counts for a lot in these parts,” said Matheny.
“Please pray that Paulo will not suffer any legal or criminal action as a result, as well as being able to deal with the emotional impact of being the cause, however indirectly and innocently, of another person’s death,” Matheny requested.
Matheny has worked with the church in Sao Jose dos Campos for 15 years.
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