Philip Lutzenkirchen, former Auburn football player, died in a one-vehicle accident that also killed Joseph Ian Davis, the driver, outside LaGrange, Georgia, on June 30.
Davis' blood alcohol content was .17. The legal limit for a driver in Georgia is below .08 BAC. Lutzenkirchen's was .377 BAC.
Tanner Case, sophomore in building science, is one of two survivors of the fatal accident.
Five months later, Case is using his experience to help others.
"God inspired me to start sharing my testimony," Case said. "I felt like it was a calling."
Case has already spoken to three high school football teams and said he plans to speak with more.
"There are three things I talk to the groups about," Case said. "I start off with the day of the accident and give a little background. Then I talk about my faith. That's where I give my testimony. Then I finish up by talking about living for today, because we're not guaranteed
tomorrow. You'll hear me ask 'What's your purpose?' a good bit."
According to Case, Lutzenkirchen and Davis were admired by countless people.
"If you live in Alabama, you know who Philip Lutzenkirchen was, and if you live in Georgia you know who Ian Davis was," Case said. "Both were incredible men who made an impact on so many lives. Philip's name is well known because of athletics, but there was so much more to him than just sports."
Case tattooed his arm as a permanent reminder of his friends.
"Ian had a Philippians 4:13 tattoo on his side," Case said. "I thought it was incredible that Philippians is 'Philip' and 'Ian' put together. The 'I' is capitalized for Ian's name and the four and the three are a little bit highlighted for Philip. I also have a guardian angel, who I felt like was with me that night."
Case said the tattoo reminds him of his friends every time he looks at it.
"I also have the letters T.I.P. on my arm," Case said. "That is something Ian, Phil and I joked about. We were going to open a restaurant called T.I.P., because it stood for Tanner, Ian and Philip."
Richard Stark, Case's friend and junior in building science, said he believes Case will also benefit from sharing his story and experiences from the accident.
"I think he'll have a great effect on the people he talks to," Stark said. "He's one of those people who other people look up to. I think people are really going to learn from what he's saying. I think it'll have a good effect on them and on Tanner."
Case is set to speak in Columbus, Georgia, on Dec. 7.
Steve Stinson, volunteer wrestling coach at Columbus High School, said he contacted Case as soon as he heard what Case was doing at high schools.
"Teenagers make bad decisions, and they don't always think of consequences," Stinson said. "Regardless of how many times a coach, parent or other adult leader tells them something, they'll really listen to someone who is very few years removed from their age. He can share with them that there are consequences that will definitely affect them and others for a lifetime."
Stinson said he hopes Case's story will positively impact his team.
"There's a lot of free time when school gets out for Christmas," Stinson said. "A lot of decisions will be made, and, hopefully, if someone like Tanner speaks to the kids and tells them it can happen, it will be worth every ounce of our preparation to have him over. Kids will listen to other kids."
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