Thu, Sep 09, 2010 | 23:44 BST

Relic’s Brian Wood involved in fatal car crash [Update]

brian and erin wood

Sad news today regarding Company of Heroes and Relic designer Brian Wood, who died in a car accident on Friday.

According to The Province, in an effort to avoid an SUV heading straight for the vehicle he and his pregnant wife of five years, Erin, were traveling in, Wood cut the wheel of his vehicle so the unavoidable impact would hit the driver’s side instead of the passenger’s side of his Subaru.

While Wood’s decision only cause a minor head-injury for his wife, it unfortunately ended his life.

“All the policeman say that if we had hit the car head-on all of us would be dead, ” said Erin Woods. “At the very last second (Brian) braked really hard and turned right so that he would be put in the path of the SUV and not me and the baby, and that is the only thing that saved us both.

“I am not going to waste the gift he gave us.”

According to the police report, the driver of the SUV was attempting to remove her sweater, and handed over control of the vehicle’s steering wheel to the passenger.

Two male passengers in the back seat were also killed in the wreck and the passenger sustained a pelvic injury. There was also evidence of drug use by the occupants of the SUV, and all were known to police.

The driver has been charged with three counts of vehicular homicide and one count of vehicular assault, with the passenger who took the wheel expected to face the same charges.

VG247 wishes Wood’s family and Relic the best during the sad times ahead.

[Update: A memorial fund has been set up in Wood's name. If you wish to donate, you can do so here - JC]

Via D’toid.

70 comment-trail-alt Posted in: America, Crime, Stuff
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70 comments

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#51

DarkElfa
07/09/10, 9:55 pm

I’m not trying to sell you any particular drink…

…Choose Coke.

Look mental, you religious folk are always try to use a tragedy to remind people of their own mortality and impending fiery stay in hell. I have news for you, Jesus called, he says you’re not helping his case.

#52

Queldorei
07/09/10, 10:07 pm

This is indeed sad news, people this days don’t realize what drugs do to them, they have no idea that they don’t just ruin their lives but also make others suffer, even i know that and i’m propably way younger than them. Also what normal human being would pass over the control of the car while actually driving? Wonder where are the “normal” people this days. Just take even more drugs, ruin your life and begone forever, nobody needs people like this. I feel realy sorry for the family right now, hope that people who caused this tragedy will get the punishment they deserve…
Mr Wood, from now on, i will concider you as a hero, not many would have done what you did, your courage and love for your family will be remembered for decades, rest in peace man, wish your family all the best and, thanks for everything you’ve done. I salute you and your family.

#53

pjmas05
07/09/10, 10:09 pm

Good luck to Erin and the rest of the Wood family. Condolences for your loss. Sounds like the dev community has lost a good man. A child has lost a father and that is always a great sadness.

#54

Johnny Cullen
07/09/10, 10:12 pm

Guys, do bear in mind a husband and future father has died. Now’s not the time to be lambasting and flaming each other.

Seriously. Stop. Not here, not now.

#55

scuz
07/09/10, 10:53 pm

That is some seriously bad news. Tragic :(

#56

Moonwalker1982
07/09/10, 10:58 pm

Damn man, no matter if i knew the guy or not, that’s all irrelivant. This is tragic. R.I.P.

Oh geez man….the woman was actually removing her sweater? PULL THE FUCK OVER AND DO THAT MAYBE? Jeeeeeez. :(

#57

YoungZer0
08/09/10, 12:56 am

Unbelievable. All this because one person decided it was okay to drug and drive. Never forget the power you hold when sitting behind a wheel. Some people just can’t deal with this much responsibility. And when drugs are involved, people die.

Such a waste of life.

Wish them all well.

@mental: This is not the time or place for your agenda. Go away, please. Nobody wants that. Pay your respect or go. Don’t preach your mumbo jumbo and tell us what life after death looks like. You don’t know anything. Nor does your book that tells us to stone our own if they have sex before marriage.

@Erthazus: So what do you want? You want to kill her? She made a stupid mistake and she’s going to pay for that, for the rest of her life. You think she wanted that? Nobody wants that. She killed someone because of such stupidity, this is one of the hardest things to handle, because it could have been so easily avoided. She’s going to pay for it. In Prison and outside.

Don’t get me wrong. She has to pay. A kid lost his father, a wife lost her husband. This can’t just go unpunished. But 10 more years won’t bring him back. Nothing will.

#58

Crysis
08/09/10, 1:42 am

R.I.P. you are a legend, you brought entertainment to countless people & in the end sacrificed yourself to save your wife & unborn child, nothing but respect from me.
The priveledge that someone gets to handle a one tonne + machine has all to often been ignored, it’s NOT a right, you are handling what is a potential weapon, keep that in mind next time you drive. If you are doing something stupid while driving, there is no reason to revoke your license, same deal as mucking around with a gun & accidentally shooting someone, they are considered different crimes, but they really are not when you think about it.
@mental, we respect your beliefs, but noone likes to be preached to, we understand religion gives YOUR life meaning to you, but understand that many people, including myself, do not believe the same thing as you & when you preach it, we tend to hold our tongue out of respect of your beliefs. what i’m saying is, just save religion for church please.

#59

Blerk
08/09/10, 8:49 am

Blimey, what a hero! :-(

/salutes

#60

Johnny Cullen
09/09/10, 11:46 pm

I’ve updated the piece with the link to Wood’s memorial fund, if anyone wishes to donate.

#61

onlineatron
10/09/10, 12:02 am

Your donation was incredible Jonny, you’re a great human being :)

#62

Callum
10/09/10, 12:38 am

Awfull. Just awfull. Really makes you think.
may he rest in peace

#63

osric90
10/09/10, 1:42 am

It’s stupid how ignorant people come to debate such imbecile topics in this article.
Into what we really care, Brian is a hero and an example of how to live and how you make the greatest sacrifices for LOVE, TRUE LOVE. His story will never be forgotten.
Please don’t drink or use drugs while you’re driving and if you drink or use drugs, don’t do it anymore. I’m sure I’m not the only one who lost people in this kind of accidents. Spread the word, make the change.

#64

mortiferus
10/09/10, 4:18 am

I am still in shock. RIP Brian. Your bravery and dedication to your family is an inspiration to us all.

#65

Kuwabara
10/09/10, 4:57 am

Rip :(

#66

frostquake
10/09/10, 6:12 am

I am sorry for your loss!

#67

CaptPierce
10/09/10, 6:29 am

It’s a sad life for a child not to grow up with their father. I wish the best of luck to his family and hope these reckless fucks get what they deserve in the end.

#68

Cee
10/09/10, 4:32 pm

Not nice to see the resident god prodders in force….

Biding their time to pounce in the right topic

I have zero interest in the vaporised fart known as god and I’ll hapilly go to hell if it makes you bible bashers feel any better

#70

Johnny Cullen
08/01/11, 2:52 pm

Just to let everyone know, I just got a handsigned thank you card from Erin for donating to the fund.

If you feel like giving away a couple of coins, fund’s still running. Link’s at the top.

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