A WIDOWED mother has recalled the devastating moment she learned of her pregnancy after tragically losing her husband in a motorcycle crash.
Jessica Lowe discovered that she was having a baby boy after saying her last goodbyes to Constable Aaron Vidal at a funeral home in Australia.
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Her fiancée had been killed while driving on his way home in June 2020, when it was reported that his motorcycle was hit by a car in the Sydney’s Hills District.
The incident left the soon to be mother feeling “numb” and “empty,” as her life turned to daily struggle as she cared for their baby born after the crash.
She recalled receiving a doctor’s call confirming the gender of her baby minutes after saying goodbye to her husband at a funeral home.
“I ran back in and held his hand, telling him we’re having a boy,” Jessica said.
Her last message from Aaron came minutes before he died and she got dinner ready, waiting for his arrival that never came.
On the day of the fatal incident, Jessica recalled checking a traffic website where she learned of a serious accident.
Her worst nightmares were confirmed when she arrived on the scene to found the constable’s body in the wreckage with his bloodied bag on the ground nearby.
“I felt numb, sick and empty,” she said.
“I started thinking I would lose our baby next.”
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The incident was adjudged to have been the result of dangerous driving by tradesman Tommy Balla who allegedly ran a red light at an intersection.
“A few minutes of Balla’s time spent waiting at the lights was worth less to the selfish driver than the life of the constable”, said Aaron’s father Constable David Vidal.
“I know he (Balla) didn’t do it with intention (of killing Aaron), but no one on the roads today knows the potential running a red light could and, in this case, did have.”
Ever since, the “violent and meaningless tragedy” left his wife envious of those in her mothers’ group who had husbands to go home to.
“I have a beautiful baby boy and I am very happy to have him in my life,” she said.
“But with each exciting milestone, there’s a reminder of what’s missing.”
During a recent trial over the constable’s death, 38-year-old Balla reportedly shook and broke down in tears as he began giving evidence.
He spoke of being “truly sorry” for the tragedy and apologised to the family, including widowed mother Jessica.
He added that he once believed the arrow lights were amber when he crossed the stop line, but now accepts the signal was red.
“I put my baby in such danger and everyone else in the community,” he said.
“I can’t believe it happened.”
Balla is due to be sentenced later in June.
