FAIR GAME:

The wife and I played golf last Sunday out at Costa Mesa Golf & Country Club. It’s our usual Sunday hangout. The weather was better than the game, but what’s new.

After we completed the round we decided to head over to Huntington Beach to hit a couple of shops and get a late lunch.

So we exited the course shortly after 2:30 p.m. and made a left turn on Mesa Verde East, heading toward Adams Avenue.

Flashing red lights from fire trucks and police cars up ahead signaled trouble.

As we approached the intersection it was quite apparent that an auto accident had just occurred. To our right at the corner of the intersection was a black Audi that had struck a light pole and was literally cut in half through the engine compartment, through the entire passenger compartment, up to perhaps the trunk.

It was obvious, death lingered.

My first reaction was to call the newsroom. You see, I don’t have the stomach for these types of situations.

Reporter Kelly Strodl answered the phone. My instructions were simple and direct. “Get a photographer and head out to Adams and Mesa Verde, there’s been a horrific accident.”

My wife and I made our way through the emergency personnel and the gathering onlookers and headed away from the scene.

More arriving emergency vehicles passed us.

What I didn’t know at the time was that lost in that wreckage was the vibrant life of 21-year-old Sara Noel Harris, of Huntington Beach.

Throughout the afternoon and into the evening, the severity of the accident continually haunted me.

When the details started to become known, it saddened me.

Alcohol, police suspect.

Possible speeding and racing. Perhaps even with a boyfriend.

I thought: What was she thinking?

But then I reminded myself that this was just a 21-year-old girl with her whole life apparently ahead of her.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not condoning driving and drinking or speeding and racing for that matter. No, in fact, quite the opposite.

But I thought back to the time when I was in my late teens and early 20s and remembered some of the many dumb things I did and got away with.

Somehow looking back, luck just always seemed to be on my side.

I also thought of my daughters, 24 and 21.

Now I’m not naïve enough to think they’ve never, ever gotten into a car after a drink or two, even though I constantly preach the use of taxicabs in those situations. I also would imagine there’s been a time or two in their young driving lives they’ve maybe gassed the car a little to make a statement to a friend.

It’s what most of us have done at one time or another.

But when all is said and done, Sara Noel Harris’ death is a reminder to all of us parents never to stop reminding our children of the dangers they not only face each day, but in many ways create for themselves.

It’s also a reminder to all of us to enjoy our loved ones each and every day.

TOM JOHNSON is the publisher. Send story ideas to dailypilot@latimes.com.