‘Live like Jon': Father writes book on healing after son killed by drunk driver

CACHE, Okla. - An Oklahoma father has used his grief to write an inspirational book on healing after his teenage son was killed by a drunk driver. 

The backstory:

39-year-old Chris Zerzavy said his 13-year-old son, Jon, was killed in September 2022. 

Chris said his son was coming home from a football game when a drunk driver rear-ended the vehicle Jon was riding in. 

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"The vehicle was spinning, he [Jon] came loose from his seatbelt and got ejected out of the vehicle," Chris told FOX Television Stations. "The trauma just from that amount of impact to his brain…he couldn't withstand that. So he was killed instantly."

Chris spoke about the pain and grief that followed. 

"Everything that you thought was important, it doesn't matter anymore," he continued. "The beliefs that you had, like, everything that was foundationally strong in your life, is all ripped away from you in an instant, and then you're just left with pieces of, ‘What am I supposed to do now?’"

Turning grief into a book 

Dig deeper:

After his son's death, Chris said he struggled to sleep because thoughts and questions over his son's tragedy kept racing through his mind.

His wife suggested that he write down his thoughts in a journal. Soon after, Chris wanted to turn his thoughts into a book. 

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"The more that I was writing it down, the more I felt that, hey, this is something that potentially could become a book that could help people that have been on either, similar journeys or having a difficult time with life, no matter what their journey is," he continued. 

Chris Zerzavy's book, "Margin" is available now. (Credit: Chris Zerzavy)

Chris titled his book "Margin," and is currently available. He plans to have a book release party on Sunday. 

The book details the life and legacy of his son as well as the lessons Chris has learned over the years in dealing with grief. 

"I want them to know who Jon was. That's important. I think that if we all live life more like Jon, this world would be a much better place," he added. 

"I think that this book could help you find different activities to create margin in your life that allows you to continue to focus on your purpose and the calling that you have," he continued. 

‘Live like Jon’

Chris said his favorite part about the book is describing his late son. 

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"He [Jon] was an old soul in a young person's body," Chris described. "He was a genuine person. He was caring. He was considerate of others. He loved Jesus."

"He didn't like anybody to ever feel left out or alone, and if you were by yourself, he'd go out of his way to reach out to you and make you feel welcome."

Chris said his son always made sure he was by his side when out and about. 

"If I was going to be by myself, he'd always go just so I didn't have to be alone" he said. "That's just who he was. Special kid."