RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - Sister Charlotte Lange says she's more compassionate nowadays, after having spent months in a hospital recovering from a crash caused by a drunk driver.
“I don`t know why that accident happened, but I`ve always heard things happen for a reason, and if there was a reason, I think that I`m a better person because of it”, she said.
The crash happened August 1, 2010 while Lange was driving two fellow nuns from Richmond to a retreat in Prince William county.
She still remembers it vividly
“I don`t know what the distance was, but ahead of me there was a car coming toward me and I thought ‘I hope that man is passing somebody and realizes he sees me and gets over’. Well, I don`t know what happened next, except for the impact. And, I knew what had happened and I knew he hadn`t gotten over.”, she said.
The crash killed Sister Denise Mosier, who had been riding in the back seat of Lange's car, and severely injured Sister Connie Ruth Lupton, her front seat passenger.
“I remember Sister Connie Ruth moaning”, said Lange.
Both she and Ruth have since fully recovered. Lange calls their healing nothing short of a miracle.
“ I think the miracle is that these wonderful people that had faith asked for healing for us, and we were healed”, Lange said.
On Friday, the drunk driver, Carlos Martinelly Montano, was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
“In terms of Carlos, I don`t have any bad feelings towards Carlos.”, said Lange.
When asked what she would say to the 24 year old..
“To let him know that I'm praying for him and will continue to pray for him and I certainly don't have any animosity towards him”, said Lange.
Sister Charlotte says she met with Martinelly Montano's mother at least twice. She says his mother was remorseful, as was Martinelly Montano himself. He sent her Christmas cards awaiting trial.
Lange says she's grateful for all the cards, gifts, and most of all prayers she received while she recovered from the crash.
“I don`t know why that accident happened, but I`ve always heard things happen for a reason, and if there was a reason, I think that I`m a better person because of it”, she said.
The crash happened August 1, 2010 while Lange was driving two fellow nuns from Richmond to a retreat in Prince William county.
She still remembers it vividly
“I don`t know what the distance was, but ahead of me there was a car coming toward me and I thought ‘I hope that man is passing somebody and realizes he sees me and gets over’. Well, I don`t know what happened next, except for the impact. And, I knew what had happened and I knew he hadn`t gotten over.”, she said.
The crash killed Sister Denise Mosier, who had been riding in the back seat of Lange's car, and severely injured Sister Connie Ruth Lupton, her front seat passenger.
“I remember Sister Connie Ruth moaning”, said Lange.
Both she and Ruth have since fully recovered. Lange calls their healing nothing short of a miracle.
“ I think the miracle is that these wonderful people that had faith asked for healing for us, and we were healed”, Lange said.
On Friday, the drunk driver, Carlos Martinelly Montano, was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
“In terms of Carlos, I don`t have any bad feelings towards Carlos.”, said Lange.
When asked what she would say to the 24 year old..
“To let him know that I'm praying for him and will continue to pray for him and I certainly don't have any animosity towards him”, said Lange.
Sister Charlotte says she met with Martinelly Montano's mother at least twice. She says his mother was remorseful, as was Martinelly Montano himself. He sent her Christmas cards awaiting trial.
Lange says she's grateful for all the cards, gifts, and most of all prayers she received while she recovered from the crash.
