A Stranger Paid For A Woman's Groceries And Died In A Car Accident Mere Hours Later

KRON- A San Diego-area woman is working to honor the memory of a stranger who died hours after he paid for her groceries and asked her to “pay it forward.”

Matthew Jackson, of Oceanside, was killed in a crash on Nov. 11, less than 24 hours after he met Jamie-Lynne Knighten, KNSD-TV in San Diego reported.

Knighten was ahead of Jackson in line to pay for her groceries with her crying infant when her card was declined.

That’s when Jackson stepped up and offered to foot the bill, which came to more than $200.
The 28-year-old wanted one thing in return.

“As long as you promise to do it for somebody else,” Jackson said, according to Knighten.

Knighten later called his employer, a local gym, to praise Jackson — only to find out he had died when a car he was in struck a tree.

As a person of faith, Knighten said she believes Jackson didn’t die in vain. She said she is working to further honor the man’s legacy and is encouraging others to pay it forward.



You know what they say, no good deed goes unpunished. Seriously though, think of one other popular saying that people use in reference to good deeds? I know I can't. You help other people and bad things happen. That's as close as a statement can get to being a fact without having any semblance of truth behind it. See, this is why I don't go to extravagant lengths to help strangers, and neither should you. That selfish feeling of satisfaction isn't worth your life. You think this guy gets into a car accident if the woman in front of him doesn't have enough money and she has to leave the store? Nope, he's 5 minutes ahead of that traffic. It's probably the guy behind him in line that meets an untimely demise. As the saying goes, better you than me.

'Pay It Forward'. Great movie. The entire plot is centered around people helping people, being nice to those that haven't done anything to show you that they are deserving of your gratuity. Remember the ending? SPOILER ALERT: An adorable little kid gets STABBED TO DEATH. According to every cinematic representation of what happens when you go out of your way for others, children always perish. So sorry that I probably would have had my headphones in, listening to a podcast about dick jokes, and becoming visibly annoyed by the length of the line at the grocery store. However, while my lack of awareness may not have paid for the groceries of a needy mother, it likely saved the life of a child. For that reason, and that reason only, the most money I will ever give away is $1 and it's probably only when I get guilted into it by a witty homeless man or the CVS credit card machine. Karma, much like any other woman, can still be a bitch, even when you treat her right.

P.S. Accepting help from others is a no-go too. This lady got some free groceries, goes to place a 'thank you' call, and BOOM...lifetime of guilt. Thanks, but no thanks. 

P.P.S. I swear I am not as terrible of a person as this blog made me sound.