9 months later, father returns for hit-and-run trial

 

Jack Blount, left, and sophomore Cary Campbell, center, as well as friends of Connie Blount laugh as Blount tells stories and shares memories of his daughter Monday night at the Baptist Student Center where friends and family met in remembrance of Connie. Photo by Elliott Hess | Staff

 

It has been nine months, three weeks and one day since Connie Blount died in a hit-and-run accident while crossing South Broadway in Lexington. Her father, Jack Blount, knows it down to the hour.

“I think about Connie every day, in everything I do,” Blount said Monday night at an informal memorial for Connie at the Baptist Student Center on UK’s campus. “Some days are easier than others, and some days the emotion just overwhelms me.”

But to stand in the Baptist Student Center, surrounded by around 30 of his daughter’s friends, Blount said it was as if Connie wasn’t gone at all.

“To be here with her friends who have sent such warm letters and e-mails and Facebook messages to our family, they have helped us all through this,” Blount said. “They help me remember Connie.”

A book of those e-mails and comments sat out on a table among pictures of Connie. Friends laughed as they talked about memories of her riding her horse, and her “puppy” Scout — who has now grown into a 75-pound dog.

“There are so many things I miss about her,” said friend Cary Campbell, who was on the equestrian team with Blount and planned to move in with her in Fall 2008. “Everything reminds me of her. I don’t go a day without thinking of her.”

In memory of his daughter, Blount is writing a book about religion — something he started with Connie as a way to relate Christianity to science for young people.

“It’s something she wanted me to help her do, a way to reach many of her friends who she knew had no experience with the church,” Blount said. “Now the book will include a section about Connie as well — why I think she had that incredible smile on her face all the time, no matter where she was or what she was doing.”

The Blount family has also started a scholarship in Connie’s name benefiting equine majors.

Blount said these commemorations of his daughter and staying in touch with Connie’s friends help his family through the rough times as they try to return to normal life.

“It’s hard to explain to people who haven’t faced this type of tragedy, but there really isn’t any returning to normal,” Blount said. “We’re trying to find this new normal, to find a way to fill that void and just live our lives.

“We have comfort knowing she’s in heaven and we’ll be with her again some day, but with that comfort comes the loss and pain of knowing we won’t see her graduate from college, won’t see her get married or have our grandchildren.”

Blount will be in Lexington for the duration of the trial of Shannon Houser — who is facing charges of leaving the scene of an accident, tampering with physical evidence and marijuana possession in connection with Connie’s hit-and-run death. But Blount said he doesn’t expect to find justice even if Houser is sentenced.

While sitting through the trial is admittedly tough, Blount said his daughter is with him and gives him strength. There is one thing, he said, that he will never forget about Connie.

“That smile,” Blount started and shook his head laughing to himself. “There’s just no way to forget that girl’s smile.”