On July 8, 2023, Duprie Smith sped toward a hospital. He had been shot twice at a memorial for his brother, killed by gunfire a year prior as he left a funeral for a friend who was also killed by gun violence. Further tragedy soon unfolded. As Smith tore through the intersection of Southeast 102nd Avenue and Stark Street in Portland, Oregon, he slammed into a car carrying Ryan Ambrose, 11, and members of his family:
Motorists stopped. Strangers rushed to help. One reached into the back seat and sliced the seatbelt with a knife, gently lifting Ryan out of the car, careful not to jostle his neck or back.
They carried him to the curb and placed him on the ground.
William knelt by Ryan’s side, the boy’s expression serene under the glare of the Chevron sign.
He rested his hand on Ryan’s chest.
“You gonna be OK, bro,” William whispered. “You gonna be OK.”
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