The death of a 22-year-old Smithville man last April brought grief and heartache to his family and loved ones, but through his sacrifice others are now getting a second chance at life through organ donation.

On April 30, 2021, Zachary Tyler Parsley was a passenger in a 2012 Ford Escape driven by 19-year-old Sebastien Tarin of Manchester. That rainy morning the pair were traveling east on Interstate 24 in Rutherford County when the vehicle drove off the interstate, and into the median, before traveling through the grassy divide and into the Westbound lane of traffic. The small SUV then collided head-on with a 2015 Nissan Frontier pickup truck driven by 65-year-old Stanley Peterson of Beechgrove. All three died in the crash.

For many Zachary’s story might have ended there. There would have been a funeral and the family left to grieve, but through one simple act his life and story continues. The son of Jeremy and Sonya Linder Parsley, Zachary was a senior at Tennessee Tech University where he studied phycology, teaching and counseling. He was also said to be a very intelligent young man with a lot of compassion for others. That’s why when Parsley was old enough to drive, he signed up to be an organ donor.

In a letter to Zachary’s family, Family Care Coordinator Jill Zimmer with Tennessee Donor Services explained how the young man’s legacy lives on through his gift of life.

“You and your family have been in the thoughts and prayers of our entire team at Tennessee Donor Services since the tragic circumstances of your son’s death. I want to express my deepest sympathy for your loss and pass on to you the continuing heroic story of hope and compassion Zachary gave to the world through his gift of organ donation.”

“One of Zachary’s kidneys went to a young man in his twenties. Having a healthier life will enable this young man to go back to college where he plans to study engineering.”

“Zachary’s other kidney and his pancreas went to a mom in her early forties who has taught kindergarten for 17 years. She, her husband, and her 10-year-old daughter are beyond grateful for this gift. These gifts allow both recipients to be free of the constraints of dialysis, so they are looking forward to much more time for family, friends, and life experiences.”

“Zachary’s liver went to a married mother of two, also in her forties. This gift will give her more time with her family.”

“Zachary’s heart went to a married man in his early fifties, who will now have renewed health and energy to get back to the things he enjoys.”

“On behalf of all of Zachary’s donation recipients, their families, and their friends, I want to express my deepest gratitude to you and your family for your kindness and generosity at such a difficult time. Than you for being able to see through the darkness of your tragedy to the light that lifesaving organ donation brings. Without this act of kindness and others like it, the donation process would never become a reality for families in need. I hope that knowing about the immeasurable impact of Zachary’s legacy through organ donation is a source of comfort for you both.”

Zachary’s grandfather, Bobby Linder, said he wanted everyone to know about his grandson’s gift to these strangers. “He really is living on,” Linder said tearfully. “Those people would be dead today if it wasn’t for him. Ever since he was old enough to drive, he wanted to be an organ donor. Because of that, he lives on through them and has helped so many people.”

To sign up to be an organ donor at donatelifetn.org or you can sign up on the back of your driver’s license.