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November 1, 2007

MySpace page shows Michael Groff's love of life and car

Michael Groff’s MySpace page, which was set to "private" yesterday, has one photo album with pictures graphically documenting his double-lung transplant, performed to reverse damage caused by cystic fibrosis.

“Just after 4 months ago,” the West Warwick native with the screen name "newlungs" writes of the surgery, “I literally came back to life.”

There are pictures of his fiancee; tombstones with the caption "Not ready yet," and musings on how precious life is.

And there is another photo album with a dozen pictures of his new car: a 2008 black Nissan Altima 3.5 SE – six speed with Lexani Fire Wheels.

Groff, himself, is in only two of those pictures.

The rest are of the car; inside and outside. From the front and from the back. Polished enough to reflect a wooded background in the door panes.

Late yesterday morning, witnesses reported seeing a black 2008 Nissan and a 1998 Honda weaving in and out of traffic at high speeds northbound along Route 95.

The police also had reports that one of the cars may have rammed the other.

Both cars flew off the road and up an embankment near the exit for Interstate 295. Both cars crashed, bursting into flames and were flattened.

The Bristol County District Attorney today identified the victims as Michael Groff, 29, of West Warwick, and Melissa Gauthier, 32, of Cumberland.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 3:13 PM | Permalink

Comments

need to understand..this can`t be real.........

cindy | November 1, 2007 7:46 PM link

I think the projo should respect Mike's privacy and his family during this tragic time and remove quotes from his personal website. His story of survival was truly inspirational to those that knew him and even those that only knew him through his website. Let them mourn without having to see his death exploited.

Dan | November 1, 2007 9:44 PM link

it's sad ! That speeding can get U!killed

sonner | November 1, 2007 10:11 PM link

Makes you wonder.. was this a case of road rage gone terribly bad, or two individuals who were racing?

JB | November 2, 2007 12:20 AM link

Why? that is always everyones question when something tragic happens. People today are always in a rush to go no where or pissed off about nothing. A second chance at life well, live was not as important as he thought. What about those who are left behind to deal with this unavoidable accident. RESPECT LIFE. This is not a movie with retakes. You only get one shot.
To those left behind my hearts goes out to them.

Just a parent | November 2, 2007 8:09 AM link

Tragedies like this one makes me realize how little time it takes to undo a life. When you are driving on 95 it could take just seconds for something to happen that ends your existence on this planet. The day you had planned is over to say nothing of the life you had mapped out. And just because you got in your car...not because you went to Iraq, did too many drugs or ate too many cholesterol-laden foods.

In 2006, 42,642 Americans died in traffic accidents. That's 117 people killed on the highway every day!

All it takes is seconds. One mistake, yours or somebody else's. Those few fatal seconds leave a lifetime of grieving for the loved ones left behind.

My heartfelt condolences to the families and friends.

Lorna | November 2, 2007 9:01 AM link

Projo & other media didn't print anything that wasn't public knowledge that any person familiar with Google or MySpace couldn't determine for themselves. If he didn't want that information out there for everyone to see, he wouldn't have posted it on a public website.

This story is tragic & I'm very sorry to all the friends & families of the 2 victims.

C C | November 2, 2007 9:20 AM link

When i came home from work i seen where the accident had happened and i had to pull over my car and take a deep breath and cry some tears. Everyone is in a hurry to go NO WHERE. They want to rush to work, rush to go home, rush to get to the mall. All his rushing left two families missing the ones they love coming in the door at night, left two families with one less person to enjoy the upcoming holidays with. We need to slow down and take our time. We will get there. My prayers and thoughts are with the families and i am truly sorry for your losses.

Cherylp | November 2, 2007 10:18 AM link

This is such an unbelieveable tradegy. My heart goes out to Mike's family and friends, including my brother, Dave, at this extremly difficult time. May he rest in peace and his family, friends, and his fiancee find strength.

Lindsey Raposa | November 2, 2007 2:12 PM link

Mike was a wonderful person who has done a lot for people in his life. If you had the priveledge of knowing him you would respect him and his family by not posting negative comments.. He made a mistake, and im sure he was not thinking clearly at the time. It would never be his intention to harm himself or anyone else. We all have done crazy things in our life, but have just been fortunate enough to get out of them ok, so i suggest that unless you have lived a perfect life or have done nothing stupid in your life, to leave your disrespectful comments to yourself. Yes he screwed up, but who hasn't, because i'd like to meet you. He was a good person, who brought a smile to everyones face. If you didn't know him, I suggest you keep your disappointing comments to yourself. Thoughs he left behind are great people and should know how much Mike was loved. It's a shame that there are people who get away with incredibly horrific things out there, and after a tradgedy like this people seem to dwell on the negative. He was a good person and thats all that matters.

a friend | November 3, 2007 7:27 PM link

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