Deshazor Everett’s life changed dramatically in December 2021, when a single-car accident in Virginia took the life of his long-term girlfriend Olivia Peters, and left him, the driver, charged with felony involuntary manslaughter in her death.
Everett ended up pleading guilty to a lesser charge of misdemeanor reckless driving and was sentenced in September 2022 to three months house arrest and a license suspension of six months, and ordered to pay a $2,500 fine, perform 100 hours of community service, and record a PSA video.
And now, 10 months after sentencing day and 18 following the accident, Everett is doing his best to try to make a positive impact on others.
“I’m just blessed to still be here and in good health, and right now I’m in the process of fighting every day,” he told JP Finlay in an exclusive interview aired on Thursday’s BMitch & Finlay Show. “Every day is a blessing to be able to get up and give more to somebody else. After going through a tragedy like that, it’s easy to stay down, but I wake up and try to make an impact on someone else.”
His sentencing was as light as it was due in part to Olivia Peters’ family pleading for leniency, and Everett gets through his darker days thanks to love and support from those around him.
“I’m getting through with the grace of a great support system, family and friends and people like you who just reach out and make sure I’m okay,” Everett said. “On the down days, they lift me up, and when things are rough, I know I have someone I can call and get me out of the funk. I’ve had some really rough days, but mental health has been something I’ve focused on. I’ve been in different therapies the last two years, and have people to support me on days where I just couldn’t get out of bed or felt like I didn’t have any worth.”
And the Peters family has been a big part of that.
“They’ve been very supportive, and very impactful to me,” Everett said. “As unfortunate as this situation was, they’re still family to me and I still love them like family. To have them just checking on me and responding to me, it leaves my heart warmed knowing they’re at some comfort and being okay with me. As hard as I am on myself for what happened, thinking I let them down, knowing they find comfort, I can move forward.”
He’s had one other relationship that has changed in his life for the better that has helped him, as well.
“I had to really find a balance, and that’s when I found a better connection with God, and my thoughts and mental state started to change,” Everett said. “It wasn’t blaming myself and beating myself up, it was knowing through this tragedy there was a greater light on the other side, and I had the chance to do something great and carry on Olivia’s legacy. That’s the biggest thing I get myself out of bed for – I have to fight to keep up her legacy and make her proud.”
During the lead up to his plea and sentencing, a lot of misinformation was cleared up or re-visited, and he hopes to be able to get even more of the truth out there as time goes on.
“I definitely want to get the story out there to people,” Everett said. “As many tragic accidents happen, people will formulate opinions before knowing the story. Me being an athlete, in a fast car, it was easy to pre-judge what I might have been doing – but after the outcome, I’m glad to be here to be able to tell my story, and we will get it out there.”
The PSA video he was ordered to record is still pending, but he can say what he’s learned and wants others to know about the dangers of driving recklessly.
“As I’ve learned going through this, every little thing I could’ve done to do better, I should have,” Everett said. “One mile an hour over is too fast. Drinking and driving is a no, because there are too many options for you to go and risk it. And I’m lucky to have not had my seat belt on and survive, so that’s my first priority every time I get in the car now. My message is on preventing reckless driving accidents from happening, however I can do that.”
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His physical injuries are still healing to, but in that regard, Everett is also hopeful he’ll get to spread his message by getting back on the football field once again as well.
“I think it’s unfinished, because I still feel very capable of competing with guys out there, and if given the opportunity, you will see me back out there on Sundays,” Everett said. “With that platform…I won’t say I took it for granted in the past, but if you get a second chance for some things, you’ll take better care of them. I wish I could get a second chance with Olivia, because I’d do a lot of things different knowing what I know now. But I’m still here, and if I get a chance to get back on the field, it’s more than just me playing; it’s me getting the message out there, impacting more people. This is tied to my name forever, regardless of what I do, so the best thing I can do is impact others and leave them better than I found them.”
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