Jen Futrell from Baxter Station dies after accident

Jen was a cook at Baxter Station - she rode her bike to the restaurant on Tuesday to get her paycheck and was hit by a car on Bardstown Road near Highland Avenue.

Her death was delayed because she wanted to donate her organs. Doctors told her family that about 100 body parts could be used to help others, Hedspeth said.

That gave them some comfort, she said.

"There's another family standing around a bed like we are and this is going to create their life," Hedspeth said. "It's going to be a different story for them."

Futrell's organs were donated through the Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates program.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to Seeds of Peace or Safe Streets Louisville.

My sympathies go out to Andrew and the other cooks and servers at Baxter Station. Sounds like Jen was a good person. Peace, Jen.

Cindy, Duncan and I pass on our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jen. Peace be unto you.

I saw it on the CJ's website. At first, it was just a sad feeling in my heart, now it seems a bit heavier. I shall say prayers for the family. My prayer list grows every day.

Jen was one of my son's (Leone Ray's) babysitters when he was younger, and she will be missed dearly by many.

Louisville claims to be bicycle friendly, but those of us who dare ride on the streets know otherwise. What can be done? For one thing, as a motorist, you can slow down a bit, pay attention to the road (no texting, dialing, map-reading, whatever - focus), and watch out for cyclists and pedestrians.

You may lose a minute if you drive slower, but others may lose a life if you don't....

Keep it in mind,


Peace

-Nimbus
Ray's Monkey House
1578 Bardstown Rd

As a cyclist and patron of Baxter Station, this is sad news to hear.

Part of the reality that comes with being a cyclist is recognizing that sooner or later you will be in an accident involving a (much larger) motor vehicle. Although a strong advocate for cyclists' rights, I often wonder if the whole "share the road" idea is an exercise in futility. I don't know all the details of this case, but accidents do happen. Unfortunately, such accidents rarely end favorably for the cyclist.

Best wishes to her family, friends, and the Baxter Station family during this trying time.

My heart breaks for Jen's family. What a wonderful gift from her family to allow others a chance at a better life because of their unselfish act of organ donation. My prayers are with Jen's family and her extended family at Baxter Station.

My best friend was hit by a car two years ago while riding her bicycle ... one of the scariest phone calls of my life. While she survived the accident, her life is forever changed. I, too, agree with Matthew D.; rarely does the cyclist win ...

What a tragedy that happened because someone swung around a bus to save a minute. I just found out last night that Jen is a cousin of my last partner at EMS. Thoughts and prayers to her family and friends and thanks to her family for continuing her generosity of spirit by donating her organs.

I went to school with Jennifer (as she was back then). She was sweet, and a gentle, good person. This is very sad.

What a tragedy that happened because someone swung around a bus to save a minute.

Unfortunately, that "someone," from my perspective, represents the actions of a large segment of society to the extent that poor driving is the norm and not the exception. I'm thinking the person who made this choice wasn't expecting the consequences he/she now must face everyone day of his/her life. Everyday driving decisions vehicle operators make, like swinging around a bus, often lead to what we call vehicle "accidents" - even if the event isn't 100% completely accidental. The drivers involved exchange information, the one driver hopefully learns a lesson, and life goes on. When you substitute a bicycle into the equation the consequences tend to multiply significantly.

That being said, I'm not sure what we can do to change this, and nothing I say is going to be comforting to Jen's family and friends.

If I'm not mistaken, Jen also ran the "Hospitality Cafe" at the Smoketown Farmer's Market. She whipped up omelets for the shoppers and it was fun to see the reaction of some of the kids who partook of the new flavors. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.


MissChele

thank you all for your kind words, thoughts and prayers!!!
my thoughts are with jen's family... the decision to donate her organs has passed on the generous gift of life to countless others.
i have heard more people talking about organ donation in the past three days than i have in the last 5 years.
huge thanks to her mom and dad for doing this, and being so public about it, in their time of great loss.
andrew