I've just started to be calm enough to post this blog entry. For the last two weeks I've been mad with one "d"...because it happened again.
Roy McConnell and his 3 sons were killed two weeks ago by a suspected underage, drunk driver who blew through a red light in St. Petersburg, FL and violently crashed into Roy's car. All of his kids were with him in the car. All of their wives/girlfriends were waiting at the beach house for them to return. They never came home.
I knew Roy from church. He was a fine drummer, triathlete and family man. He told me more than once that he admired my passion for stopping drunk driving. He was a friend of MADD on Facebook. He believed in the good in people and was a strong man of faith.
This crash was 100% preventable just as every other drunk driving crash is! Someone made a choice to drive after drinking and he is now accused of killing my friend and his 3 sons...devastating a family and a community.
If we do nothing, if we say nothing, then we change nothing. Please help us end this violent crime.
The blog of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (madd.org), dedicated to discussion of issues related to drunk driving, drunk driving victim services, underage drinking prevention, support of the 21 minimum drinking age law and more.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
8 comments:
Roy II, Roy III, Nathan, and Kelly leave grieving communities that range from family and friends to work/church/university communities. I lost all my grandchildren and my only son-in-law in this incredible tragedy.
The "Why?" is answered thusly. Because a 20 y/o man made a series of bad decisions: to drink then drive, to speed, to run a red light.
Laura says she's MAD with one D. I, too, am MAD with one D. Mad that all our dreams and hopes were crushed in one awful moment.
Laura is also MADD with two Ds and I am turning to MADD here in SC for their support.
These four wonderful men deserved so much more then to suffer because one fellow thought he deserved to have a good time one Saturday night.
Patricia V.
How do you feel about this drinking and driving video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBG8DwCFVWQ
When I lost my friend to a DUI Driver, my life was devastated. I found I needed to do something. I posted on facebook, sent emails, and started writing two different blogs (one on the family, and one on the advocacy).
On my blog, I am currently sharing excerpts from the statements I prepared for court. Please feel free to visit my blog, share your thoughts, feelings, etc.
http://makingadiffference.blogspot.com/
In the future I will be doing my best to highlight cases, share information, and do what I can to help others through these terrible tragedies.
I am so sorry for that family and so SICK of hearing these stories. When is this going to stop?
You're right, this tragedy was 100% preventable, and YOU CAUSED IT. Let me tell you what happened. This kid was was probably over 18 yet still below your bulls--- 21 drinking age. Old enough to fight, but that's not good enough for you. Anyways, if the drinking age were 18. 1. He probably wouldn't have been binge drinking AND his drinking could have been done at a place with better adult supervision such as a bar. But no, the age is 21, so he couldn't tell anybody that he had been drinking, so how is he going to get home? Well, he has to take his car whether he's been drinking or not. So goes the story very, very often in this ridiculous age of prohibition against young adults. YOUR FRIEND'S BLOOD IS ON YOUR HANDS! This is a terrible tragedy that you and MADD have caused. Shame on you, shame on MADD. They have caused more drunk driving deaths caused by "underage" drinking than they have prevented.
You're right, this tragedy was 100% preventable, and YOU CAUSED IT. Let me tell you what happened. This kid was was probably over 18 yet still below your bulls--- 21 drinking age. Old enough to fight, but that's not good enough for you. Anyways, if the drinking age were 18. 1. He probably wouldn't have been binge drinking AND his drinking could have been done at a place with better adult supervision such as a bar. But no, the age is 21, so he couldn't tell anybody that he had been drinking, so how is he going to get home? Well, he has to take his car whether he's been drinking or not. So goes the story very, very often in this ridiculous age of prohibition against young adults. YOUR FRIEND'S BLOOD IS ON YOUR HANDS! Shame on you, shame on MADD. They have caused more drunk driving deaths caused by "underage" drinking than they have prevented.
The military might lower the drinking age for soldiers that are serving in the armed forces!
http://www.beyondmytwocents.com/underage-soldiers-may-soon-get-to-play-beer-pong-too/
post your two cents!
On August 7, 15 year old Collin Petts was killed in a tragic auto accident. His 17 year old brother, Kyle was driving. They were his by a suspected impaired driver. Their 15 year old cousin, Emma, teamed with Hunter Smith on an original song. She sang this song at Collin's funeral and dedicated it to Kyle, the surviving brother. www.youtube.com/Watch?v=YBH8hQx-MfM. It is our hope that with each viewing of this song, the family's grief will be lessened and that an innocent life will be spared from an impaired driver. If the link does not open, simply search Emma Petta and Hunter Smith on youtube. Thank you.
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