Hope across the hallway

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Sometimes in the most difficult times of our lives, we meet someone walking the same road.

And sometimes their appearance on our journey, can point to something much larger at play.

Such is the case with Shawn Kiser and Everette Scott.

On the evening of Sept. 21, 2019, the Kiser family enjoyed an evening on Lake Murray, aboard their family pontoon boat.

But that peaceful night on the water was cut short by mayhem when a boater, Tracy Gordon slammed his speedboat into the Kiser’s pontoon, killing Stan Kiser, and severely injuring Stan’s wife of 38 years, Shawn Kiser.

Shawn described the horror of that night recently at a 5k walk for Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

“Stan was slaughtered, and my legs were butchered. I almost bled out and only survived because of my daughter’s actions of tying her dress around my leg to stop the bleeding. Forever my children will be without their father. Forever my husband will be dead.”

That night, Shawn Kiser was transported from Lake Murray to Prisma Health Richland, as paramedics sought to save her life. Her extensive injuries eventually cost her— her leg.

During the trial, Tracy Gordon admitted to drinking 8 beers throughout the day before the crash. Last year, a judge ultimately sentenced Gordon to 10 years in prison.

Court testimony revealed Gordon did not stop to check on his victims. His blood alcohol level was also not admissible at trial because the officer did not sign the affidavit submitted to the judge.

The Kiser daughters relived the horror of that night in court.

“He left me alone on that boat to choose between my parents who to save,” Morgan Kiser told the court in 2019.

“He didn’t come back to check on us. Strangers came and helped us. And I’m so thankful.”

Sloan Kiser also told the court, “She (Morgan) was forced to make the decision on whether or not she could try and save my father or my mother and she was caught between the two. I can’t even imagine having to contemplate that.”

Now, 4 and half years later, we are learning even more about that night.

Just 3 hours after Shawn arrived at the hospital on that September night in 2019, just across town, one man was about to endure an eerily similar storm.

“A little bit after midnight - I was doing something I enjoy doing. I had a 2019 all black Road Glide special. That was my baby,” said Everette Scott describing the moments before his crash.

“I was riding at night, my feet up and my music up loud, feeling the wind blow. Out of nowhere I felt that hit.”

South Carolina Highway Patrol said the crash happened when 62-year-old Cynthia Sims, with a blood alcohol level of .14, crossed the median on Garners Ferry Road and hit Scott on his motorcycle near Eastover.

The helmet that he rarely wore likely saved his life, but he was losing a lot of blood.

“It was a crazy night, the part I do remember.”

Everette’s left leg was severed above the knee. On his way to the hospital, friends pled for Everette to fight as a father.

“One of ‘em is telling me focus on your daughter. Your daughter needs a Dad.”

Everette was immediately transported to Prisma Health Richland Hospital, as doctors worked to save his life.

Somehow, he was placed in a room directly across the hall from none other than Shawn Kiser; a circumstance each of them say is more than a coincidence.

“It’s almost like a little divine destiny in that situation,” Everette said.

When Everette regained consciousness, his family told him about his hospital neighbor. Both the Kiser and Scott families had met and bonded as Shawn and Everette recovered in the ICU.

Everette said his family notified him, “‘Hey, there’s a lady across the hall going through the same thing you’re going through.’ I’m sure it was the same on her end. It got to the point we couldn’t wait to meet each other. So once we did, it was pretty much locked in at that point.”

Everette and Shawn’s friendship turned to a bond as well; a relationship forged through pain and perseverance.

“He’s my soulmate,” admits Shawn Kiser.

“We text each other. He’s come over the house, some of his family members have come over to the house. One time- out on the lake.”

Everette also joined Shawn on a special occasion with the Gamecocks women’s basketball team in March of 2020, when Shawn Kiser walked across the court to thunderous applause at the invitation of head coach Dawn Staley.

“Our timeline, our healing timeline was pretty much on the same track,” Everette explained. “We stayed in ICU pretty much the same amount of days, and stepped out with rehab.”

“It’s good to be able to know someone who’s going thru that similar situation that you are. That way when you’re having those trying times, maybe they can give you some words of encouragement,” he said.

On Saturday, April 10th, 4 and a half years after that September night, Everette and Shawn walked arm in arm, as guests of honor at the Mothers Against Drunk Driving 5k Walk. For the walk, they even wore matching outfits.

“I’m 100 years old. He’s 5. He’s 7 feet tall, I’m 4 feet tall. So much like twins,” Shawn joked.

Seeing these two survivors is a reminder:

Even in your darkest night, you just may find a light, closer than you think. Maybe even, right across the hall.

“There’s always light in the dark. Just gotta look at it certain ways. I try to tell people that all the time,” Everette said.

While so many others in their situation would dwell on what they lost, it’s clear that with each step, Shawn and Everett focus instead on what they gained… in each other.

“Things may seem bad- but there’s always a little bit of good in that bad that you can find to give you hope,” said Everette with a soft smile. To which Shawn added, “That’s so true. And have faith.”

Shawn’s daughter- Morgan is now a major advocate in strengthening the states boating safety laws.

For more information on her organization, “Safe the Lake” go to their website.

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