Formation of an unexpected friendship.


The story of Matt Swatzell is a poignant and powerful example of tragedy, forgiveness, and the formation of an unexpected friendship.

The Accident

On October 2, 2006, Matt Swatzell, a 20-year-old rookie firefighter and paramedic, was driving home after a 24-hour shift in Dacula, Georgia. Exhausted, he fell asleep at the wheel for just three or four seconds, which was enough time for his car to swerve across the center line and collide head-on with an approaching car. The accident resulted in the immediate death of 30-year-old June Fitzgerald, who was seven months pregnant, and her unborn child. June's 19-month-old daughter, Faith, survived but was injured.


Immediate Aftermath

Swatzell was devastated by the accident, feeling a deep sense of guilt and responsibility as someone whose profession was to help people in emergency situations. Erik Fitzgerald, June's husband and a Christian pastor, received the news of the accident and the loss of his wife and unborn child. Despite his immense grief, Erik chose not to pursue the maximum sentence against Swatzell. Instead, he opted for a more lenient sentence, advocating for community service and a fine, demonstrating his commitment to grace and forgiveness rather than vengeance.

The Meeting and Forgiveness

Two years after the accident, Matt Swatzell and Erik Fitzgerald met by chance in a grocery store parking lot. This encounter was a turning point for both men. When Erik saw Matt, he approached him, and Matt burst into tears. Erik hugged him and told him that he forgave him. Matt described this moment as the biggest relief he had ever felt, stating that hearing Erik's words of forgiveness completely changed his life.

The Friendship

The two men spent hours talking that day and began a unique and deepening friendship. Erik told Matt that he felt a spiritual prompting to stay connected with him, and Matt felt the same way. Over the next decade, they met regularly, and their bond grew stronger. Erik encouraged Matt not to let the accident define his life, and Matt found hope in the mercy he received from Erik. As their friendship deepened, Matt got to know Faith, who is now 12 years old, and after he married and had children of his own, the two families would often spend holidays together.

Personal Struggles and Healing

Despite Erik's forgiveness, Matt still struggles with forgiving himself. He admits to wrestling with his own demons of guilt and acknowledges that he is not sure if he has forgiven himself. However, the friendship and the mercy he received from Erik have given him a sense of healing and hope. Matt describes Erik as "like a big brother" to him and appreciates the unique bond they share, which has been a source of comfort and strength for both men.



A Special Blessing

Their story is further marked by a poignant coincidence: Erik welcomed another child into his life with his new wife, and the baby was born on the same due date as the unborn child he and June had been expecting. This event underscored the theme of new life and redemption in their story.


The friendship between Matt Swatzell and Erik Fitzgerald serves as a powerful example of the transformative power of forgiveness and the human capacity for mercy, even in the face of profound tragedy and loss.

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