Teen’s death turned into life-saver

When Kevin Sturm Jr. was in a fatal car accident in January, his death would indirectly lead to helping nearly two-dozen strangers with illnesses.

Kevin was killed on Jan. 3 after his 1994 Honda Civic flipped over on West Walnut, Street between Edwards and National boulevards. As Kevin Sturm Sr., a single father, mourned the loss of his son, he said he was bombarded by doctors who asked him if he would be willing to donate Kevin Junior’s organs.

“When you have such a young person pass,” said Sturm, who also has a 14-year-old boy, “it’s like getting new parts.”

Sturm allowed his son’s viable organs, including his corneas, skin, liver and heart valves, to be donated, but not without reservations. Prior to Kevin Junior’s death, Sturm couldn’t imagine being cut open and having his organs harvested for strangers. But he was persuaded when he learned that the recipients of his son’s organs would live another day or have a better quality of life.

“I feel great about it,” Sturm said of his decision. “It’s like 20 little pieces of my son are running around.”

Strum never discussed organ donation with his eldest son before he died. “Who thought at 18 he would be dying?” he said. Sturm said the opportunity to donate his son’s organs turned a negative situation into something positive, and he hopes he can use the experience to educate young drivers. While police believe that alcohol, drugs and speed were not a factor in Kevin Junior’s death, Sturm admits that his son was not wearing his seatbelt when the accident occurred.

“Kids really need to start learning about this before they get behind the wheel,” said Sturm, who has advocated for increased traffic enforcement since 2008 when a school bus his youngest son was riding in struck and killed 76-year-old bicyclist Joseph Shannon. “You’re not invincible. This is how simple it is to lose your life.”

Comments about this story? JKellard@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 213.