7 Year Old Boy Victim of Ticket-Fixing Fiasco

Last month, we talked about the current investigation going on in Johnston County, North Carolina where six officers of the court have been accused of tampering with court documents to secure illegal dismissals for drunken drivers.

The real consequences of those actions are coming to light this week as the trial begins for a 31- year old man who killed 7-year old Marcus Lassiter in an apparent drunk driving crash. The man had charged with DUI four times prior to the crash.

Two of the charges were dismissed, one was reduced, and the fourth was pending. The defense attorney in both dismissed DWI cases was Lee Hatch, and the prosecutor in one was Cyndi Jaeger. They are among six people who have been charged in the Johnston County ticket-fixing case.

And now, they have poor Marcus Lassiter's blood on their hands.

Bride-to-Be Loses Fiancee to Drunk Driver

On what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, Angel Nicole Bonham of Columbus County, North Carolina waited at the church for her fiancee to show up so that they could get married and spend the rest of their lives together. Unfortunately, a drunk driver altered those plans.

This story really highlights the aftermath of a crash. Angel went from being a blushing bride-t0-be to a grieving victim.

This is why MADD puts so much of its efforts into not just preventing drunk driving, but helping those who are left in the wake of these horrible tragedies through its free victim services.

If you or a loved one has been affected by a drunk driving crash, call 1-877-MADD-HELP (877-623-3435) to speak with a Victim Advocate.

MADD sends its condolences to the Tedder and Bonham families.

North Carolina Woman Arrested for Fatal DWI Has Three Previous Drunk Driving Convictions

A Charlotte woman with three drunk driving convictions was arrested after a crash that killed a pedestrian Monday night. Sandra Klees, 40, is charged with DWI, driving without a license and felony hit-and-run. Read the complete story from the Charlotte Observer.

Research shows that alcohol ignition interlocks on the vehicles of all convicted drunk drivers significantly reduces deaths and injuries due to drunk driving -- an average of 64 percent reduction in repeat offenses.

Contact your lawmakers and urge them to support ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers. And make a personal Pledge to Eliminate Drunk Driving.

Drunk Driving Crash Victim Jackson Vogel's Story

Friends and family have endured three painful years since Jackson Vogel of Fayetteville N.C. was killed in a one-car drunk driving crash. Ironically, early in the the morning of May 29, 2005, Jackson chose not to go to another bar with a group in Charlotte, where he was visiting a friend. But the 21-year-old Appalachian State University student did chose to get a ride home with his friend’s roommate, who was drunk. Read Jackson's story.

North Carolina Driver Charged with 10th DWI

A Louisburg man charged earlier this week with DWI had been arrested nine other times for the same offense in the past 17 years, according to court records. Read the complete story from WRAL.

People continue to drive drunk because they can. Ignition interlocks can prevent repeat offenders from driving drunk.