Tragedies seem to come in waves, unfortunately. Our community has seen more than what would seem its fair share of horrible automobile accidents lately.

First, a young Adams County Christian School student was severely injured several weeks ago.

Then, last week, an alleged drunk driver collided with and killed a 91-year-old resident.

This week, two more lives were claimed in yet another vehicle collision. Its cause was still under investigation late Tuesday.

We all take life for granted sometimes until it’s taken away. Loss of life is never easy, but it somehow seems even more tragic, even more difficult to bear when it disappears in an instant.

Each of the tragic accidents we highlighted has different causes and unique circumstances, but each likely has one ultimate commonality — someone made a horrible mistake in judgment.

Don’t throw stones. It can — and does — happen to most of us a few hundred times each day.

In each case, whether a careless driver doesn’t look and pulls out in front of someone or whether someone climbs behind the wheel after having too much to drink, it’s a human error in judgment.

Most of us should read their stories, shake our heads and say, “There but by the grace of God go I.”

Please pray for all of the families involved in the recent series of accidents, buckle up, pay attention and put the cell phone down when you’re behind the wheel.

Life is short enough already without tempting fate, and our community has suffered enough unexpected loss for a while.