Son's chair empty at Xmas lunch

27 December 2015 - 02:00 By NASHIRA DAVIDS

Jake Wootton saved lives, even after he drew his last breath. But no one could save the 18-year-old head boy from Cape Town when he was hit by a car three years ago. The driver Schalk Lubbe, allegedly drunk at the time, was found guilty of culpable homicide this month in the Strand Regional Court.While the family is grateful for the measure of justice, the pain of losing Jake intensifies. He would have turned 22 this month and started working with his father.story_article_left1On Friday the Woottons and their friends set the table and left a chair open for Jake when they had Christmas lunch. They have been doing so every year since his death.Jake was in matric at Milnerton High, a member of Big Bay Lifesaving Club, and someone who cared deeply for others, his father said.He was on holiday in Hermanus when Lubbe's car hit him on April 4 2012. He sustained serious head injuries and was declared brain dead three days later. Jake's organs were donated to others. "One of his friends told us that it was what Jake wanted to do," Jake's father said.He said Lubbe, who was initially charged with drink-driving but whose blood was not drawn after the accident, had shown no remorse.Sentencing is set for next month...

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