Ever lost a friend or loved one to a DWI?

[Omaha Steve]

See this: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x534960

[sweetladybug]

1. YES!!! I LOST A BROTHER IN LAW IN 1987 AND IN 1992 I LOST

A NIECE AT 15 YRS OLD(11 DAYS BEFORE HER 16TH BIRTHDAY)

[Historic NY]

2. In my previous occupation its causes me much angst at this time of the year....

Return of the red ribbon

On Christmas Eve in 1993, 10-year-old Ryan Bryar of New Windsor was killed when a drunken driver slammed into the back of the Bryars' car and sent it crashing through a guardrail on Route 207. Ryan was killed across the street from the Little Britain School, where he was a fourth-grader.
His parents donated his organs, and less than a year later, 9-year-old Glenda Gooch of Blairsville, Ga., walked onto a basketball court built with community donations in Ryan's memory. His heart was beating inside her.
For years, a red ribbon has been tied around the guardrail at the scene of the boy's death.
The color fades over time, but this week, a fresh red ribbon was tied around the guardrail.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

3. Yes.

The devastation to the families never ends. They just learn the skills to live with it.

[uppityperson]

4. Almost. It was pure luck she got out of the stalled car a minute before it was wrecked

[Corey_Baker08]

5. Yes, My Aunt Was A Passenger In A Car Being Driven By Her Best Friend...

After a night of drinking both were highly intoxicated, my aunt was a passenger in her own vehicle that was being driven by her best friend. Both were ejected, my Aunt was DOA and her best friend was in critical condition and careflighted to a trauma center.

My Aunt left behind 2 young children, and my Grandma (her mom)pushed for my Aunt's best friend (the driver) to be prosecuted and sentenced to the fullest extent of the law. Keep in mind this young lady had 4 children of her own and this split my family up because we thought well My Aunt's kids will never get to see their mom ever again so why take away a Mother of four from her children when it was an Accident, it could have been a flip of the coin and my Aunt could have been the driver (it was my aunts vehicle too) and her Best friend could have been the one killed, I bet my Grandma wouldnt have pushed for maximum Prosecution then.

We all wanted her to get some time but my Grandma wanted her put away for life. I just wondered what my Aunt was thinking looking down from Heaven knowing that her best friend who was also severely injured in the Accident was going to be put in Prison for her death. If it were Me who was killed in the crash and I was with my best friend and we were both drinking, I dont think I would want to see my best friend go to prison for it, after all it was an accident and it was a 50/50 chance that she could have been the one driving.

The young lady was sentenced to 6 years in Prison much to my Grandma's dismay.

All in all the entire situation was a sad sad situation that could have been prevented, yet unfortunately an accident happened!

[Obamanaut]

6. Yes. But I disagree with calling the wreck an "accident". An impaired

driver chose to consume a mind altering substance, and chose to get behind the wheel of a vehicle and drive it away.

Saying someone who did this 'made a mistake', 'had an accident', etc. is glossing over the fact that he/she had total disregard for his own safety and the safety of others. Some will blame it on the substance, but the driver made a decision to ingest it. With as much publicity as this has had over the years, it should be no surprise to anyone that it will lead to impairment.

[cali]

7. yes. two of my nephews. March 1998.

they were in a car being driven by friend who was drunk- they were as well. There were 6 of them in them in the car. They had all recently turned 18 and were returning from a night of drinking. The car skidded off the highway and landed upside down in a river. Four of them drowned.

[seabeyond]

8. not to make lite of DWI, you TEXT or talk on phone... you are in worse shape adn just as bad

i am so damn time of getting out of peoples way, and watching out for their driving cause they are so damn busy texting and talking on the cell phone. the last month it has become such an issue. people pulling out when shouldnt, going into my lane ect... and the person on a damn phone.

studies show AS dangerous or more dangerous than drunk driving.

[Obamanaut]

9. Agree. Recently I moved out of the way of a driver who was coming into

my lane (I was on motorcycle) holding a cell phone to his face with one hand, with the other holding a folded map at the top of the steering wheel. I gave him a lot of room.

[babydollhead]

10. Yes. My lover was killed in a crash.3 drunk teenages blindsided him