Honoring a Life Cut Short: The Restoration of Ryan Stewart's Subaru

In a poignant act of remembrance, the friends and family of Ryan Stewart are working to restore his beloved Subaru WRX STI S209, a car that held deep personal significance for him. This endeavor comes more than four years after the tragic loss of Ryan, who was struck and killed by a drunk driver while changing a tire on the side of the Loop 101 in Arizona.

Preserving a Legacy, Preventing Future Tragedies

A Shared Passion for Cars and Racing

Ryan Stewart's life was tragically cut short when a drunk driver struck and killed him on the side of the highway. However, his memory lives on through the efforts of his close friends, who are working to restore his prized Subaru WRX STI S209. This car, one of only 209 produced worldwide, held deep personal significance for Ryan, who shared a mutual love for cars and racing with his friend Ravi Tomerlin.

Tomerlin and Stewart had become fast friends through their shared passion for automobiles and the thrill of the racetrack. The restoration of Stewart's Subaru is a testament to the enduring bond they shared and the desire to honor his memory in a meaningful way.

Reclaiming a Cherished Possession

After the criminal proceedings were completed, Stewart's Subaru was released from evidence, and his friends and family decided to take on the task of restoring the car to its former glory. This decision was not made lightly, as they recognized the emotional significance of the project.

"All of us agreed that the right thing to do was to try and do something with it that would be positive as opposed to just yanking the engine out and using it in another car," said Tomerlin, reflecting on the group's collective decision.

The restoration process has begun, and the group is hopeful that by next year, Stewart's Subaru will be returned to its original condition and ready to take to the racetrack once again. This endeavor is not just about reclaiming a cherished possession; it's about preserving a part of Ryan's legacy and ensuring that his memory lives on through the very thing he loved most.

A Preventable Tragedy

The loss of Ryan Stewart is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of drunk driving. As his friend Ravi Tomerlin eloquently stated, "DUI is one of those things that's completely preventable." The fact that the driver who struck and killed Ryan was sentenced to just 18 months in prison for negligent homicide only underscores the need for stronger measures to address this ongoing issue.

By restoring Ryan's Subaru, his friends and family are not only honoring his memory but also raising awareness about the importance of responsible driving and the need to prevent such senseless tragedies from occurring in the future. Their efforts serve as a poignant reminder that the lives lost to drunk driving are not just statistics, but individuals with dreams, passions, and loved ones left behind.

A Community Effort

The restoration of Ryan Stewart's Subaru is a true community effort, with his friends and family coming together to ensure that his prized possession is returned to its former glory. The group has started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the estimated $20,000 cost of the restoration, and they are hopeful that the community will rally behind their cause.

This project is not just about the car itself; it's about preserving a piece of Ryan's legacy and ensuring that his memory lives on. By restoring the Subaru, his friends and family are creating a tangible connection to the man they loved and lost, a way to keep his spirit alive and inspire others to cherish the time they have with their loved ones.

As the restoration process continues, the group remains steadfast in their commitment to honoring Ryan's memory and using this project as a platform to raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving. Their efforts serve as a powerful testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit and the transformative power of community in the face of unimaginable loss.