In her forthcoming memoir, “Spoken from the Heart,” Laura Bush opens up about a life-altering car accident she was involved in as a teenager.
The incident, which occurred in November 1963 when Bush was just 17 years old, left her feeling consumed by guilt and questioning her faith.
The accident took place in her hometown when Bush ran a stop sign and collided with another car, tragically causing the death of the driver – a close friend of hers, Mike Douglas.
Recounting the event, Bush admits that she struggles to fully comprehend how it happened, but the weight of guilt has remained with her for the past 45 years.
Expressing her remorse, Bush writes, “In the aftermath all I felt was guilty, very guilty…
It is a guilt I will carry for the rest of my life, far more visible to me than the scar etched in the bump of my knee.”
This new revelation offers a glimpse into the emotional turmoil the former first lady has experienced throughout her life.
Contrary to media speculation, Bush clarifies that Douglas was not her boyfriend at the time of the accident, but rather a dear friend with whom she often engaged in lengthy phone conversations.
She fondly remembers their close bond, stating, “All through high school, Mike and I were good friends.
We talked on the phone for hours, and Mike’s circle of friends included nearly all of my own.”
Beyond recounting the details of the crash, Bush delves into the profound impact it had on her beliefs and spirituality.
As an adult, she sought solace by offering guidance to other young individuals who found themselves responsible for fatal accidents.
It is a testament to her resilience and determination to transform tragedy into an opportunity for growth and support.
Bush also reflects on the circumstances leading up to the accident, acknowledging her own shortcomings as a driver.
She attributes the crash to a combination of factors, including the dangerous intersection, the questionable safety of Douglas’s Corvair car (made famous by Ralph Nader’s book “Unsafe at Any Speed”), and her own inexperience behind the wheel.
Admitting her poor eyesight, Bush wonders if it played a role, or if it was simply the darkness that caught her off guard.
In the aftermath of the accident, Bush fervently prayed for no serious injuries, but her prayer went unanswered.
The incident served as
