Home visiting family, I caught the recent story headlined “Deal in sled death” (May 18), about the averted trial over Bob Levesque’s hit-and-run style snowmobile death. It bothers me when the victim gets lost in the events.

I have known Bob a long time, or, at least, of him. For years, we called him “the swimmer,” as he swam past our family beach twice daily. Then “Bob, the swimmer” and finally just Bob.

He was a great guy, and I was thrilled that my parents had this friendly, fun neighbor next door when they moved to their new house down to the beach. Bob was very “family,” scheduling his grandsons to visit when my own kids were around. There was swimming, boating and parties. My kids really loved him. He was a very gentle person, and it is so painful to think of him being left injured and suffering.

In this life, our actions and our reactions define us. Inadequate state laws may have provided Steven Davies with a loophole out of significant penalty, but he is who he is.

Thankfully, Bob was who he was and my family has benefited from knowing him.

Laurel Sanborn Morton,

Syracuse, N.Y.

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