DEAR ABBY: After seeing the letters about the importance of carrying identification, I felt compelled to relate a story about a friend's daughter who had identification at the time of an accident.
She was walking home one night and was hit by a drunk driver. She was rushed to the hospital where, at the time, my husband was working in the emergency room. Her body and face were so badly mangled that he didn't recognize her. She was rushed to surgery where the doctors tried unsuccessfully to save her life.
After finding the identification, a hospital representative phoned the family with the news of the accident. Upon arriving at the hospital, the family was told that she had not survived. When they were taken to identify the body, imagine their shock when the girl they were shown was not theirs! Our friend's daughter had been carrying her girlfriend's identification at the time of the accident! -- P.K., WATERFORD, MICH.
DEAR P.K.: What a nightmare! I'm sharing your warning for the benefit of anyone who might be tempted to carry fake ID or someone else's.