I didn't think that when I told LadyKiss everything would be all right that I, too would get bad news.
One of my friends from high school was killed by a drunk driver.
CEDAR LAKE -- A crash involving a pickup truck, a red car and a semi with a double trailer closed U.S. 41 at Cedar Lake for more than three hours Friday night, and resulted in one young woman being helicoptered to St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields.
Police and fire rescue supervisors had no information concerning the condition or identities of those involved in the crash, which occurred shortly after 9 p.m.
It was difficult to imagine how any of the occupants could have survived in the red Pontiac, which was crushed almost beyond recognition. Fire crews cut off the roof of the vehicle to perform their Friday the 13th rescue.
Bill Mitchell, 18, of Crown Point, said he was following behind the grey pickup and watching it drifting between lanes at high speed while driving south on 41.
He estimated the pickup must have been traveling 65 to 70 mph when it smashed into the Pontiac, which was about to turn left at 121st Street. The Pontiac, in turn, smashed into the semitrailer, which was heading north.
Mitchell said he jumped out of his car and ran to see whether others were OK.
"The girl in the passenger seat of the red car was sitting there, breathing like she's gasping for air," he said.
He guessed she was from the area because a woman ran out of a house by the highway, crying, "My baby!"
"It was terrible," said Mitchell, whose own twin sister, Kathryn Mitchell, was helicoptered to a hospital after a car accident two months ago. He noted his sister is OK, though she was in critical condition that night.
At 10:45 p.m., police were estimating that U.S. 41, which was closed between 110th and 133rd streets, would stay shut for another two hours.
Units from Cedar Lake Police, and the town's fire department and emergency management agency as well as state police and the county sheriff assisted, said Cedar Lake Lt. Charles Kouder, who added that it has been a few years since the town has had an accident of this magnitude.

You know, this is the second person in a year that has been hit by a d@mn drunk. THERE IS NO EXCUSE PEOPLE!! My one friend was "lucky"-if you want to call it that. 3 weeks in the hospital, two friends dead...and HER drunk driver is pleading not guilty. NOT GUILTY!!
Now this. MY friend had her whole life in front of her. She was going to be married in May, she just got accepted to beauty school, she had a new job.
WE NEED STRICTER LAWS!! I can't....I can't even think. I need to just go. I'll be back later.

I'm really sorry to hear that, Lady P...

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Patrick W. Heinske -- LZeitgeist@aol.com
1988 Red Fiero Formula
- 1st Place - Stock Coupe - FOCOSEVA 2000
- 3rd Place - Stock Formula - FOCOA Nat'l 2001
- Class Winner - 1982 to Present - Tarheel Tigers All-Pontiac Show 2001
- Class Winner - Fiero: All Years - Tarheel Tigers All-Pontiac Show 2002

My heart goes out to you Lady P. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. It's just so senseless. In Germany, where the beer is strong and the autobahn has no speed limits, you almost never have any drunk drivers. Why? Because drunk driving in Germany is a FELONY!

Maybe it's time for that here, too. DWI convictions mean nothing if the person gets back in a car anyway.

Maybe it's easier for me to say this because I don't really drink.. but I would like to see much stiffer penalties for drunk driving...

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steve@digitalfusion.on.ca

quote Originally posted by DaRkLoRD: Maybe it's easier for me to say this because I don't really drink.. but I would like to see much stiffer penalties for drunk driving...

I agree with Darklord.

I'm sorry this stuff happens. There just isn't any excuse for it.

My condolences.

My condolences

There really needs to be bigger penalties for drunk driving. My mother's friend was hit by a drunk driver a couple years ago and died. There's too much of it. Something has to be done.

[This message has been edited by Jaygee79 (edited 09-17-2002).]

I feel sad for you and your friend. That could happen to any of us.

Oh God! I'm so sorry Lady P. A good friend of mine in Ill. will be in pain and walk with a cane the rest of her life because of a drunk driver. It just makes me so angry. There's nothing I can say that will make this better. My condolences.

Jane

It is just so senseless. If it hadn't been for that @ss...she would still be here today. I thought about it all night. I wish it would have been quick...but to know that she was still alive....
At the hospital they were doing brain surgery and her heart stopped. But what about all that time from when the accident happened to that point?
I feel for her family. They had a son before her and he passed away at the age of four, I don't know exactly what happened. And now they lost their only child. They have nothing. Their family has been ripped apart. And for what?
I am more angry than anything. The system is ridiculous.
"You have a DUI." slap on the wrist
"You have multiple DUI. We're taking your license and fining you, as well as impound your car." What do the drunks do? Take someone else's car and get back on the road.
There is no reason someone should get on the road after drinking. I will admit, I HAVE done it. "Oh, I only had two..." But ever since my best friend was hit....NEVER.
I am just SO ANGRY!! I am angry at multiple things. It doesn't seem real. I don't know. The wake is tonight. I have been to more wakes and funerals than marriages since high schooll. AND I'M ONLY 22 for God's sake. THIS IS NOT RIGHT! I'm tired of wearing black. I'm tired of crying my eyes out for the wrong reasons. I want to be happy. I don't want to spend the rest of my life wondering who is next and not talking about happy occasions. I am just TIRED.

Thank you all for your care and concerns. I really appreciate them.

I think next time I see a drunk driver

I will pass them, get infront of them

then stand on the brakes and let them rear end my car

if the driver was drunk the cops will never believe his version of the story

I'll get a new car out of the deal

and a DUI will be out one car and one license.

Sorry to hear this. I personally feel DUIs that result in a death should go on trial for murder in all cases...period. Just the same as walking up to them and shooting or stabbing them. Just getting a first DUI should result in the loss of all driving privileges period...for good. It all just more of the liberal crap, letting people get away with anything with little if any repercussions. I saw yesterday, some guy was up for parole who committed a whole slew of murders for years...now hes rehibilitated?
Life will go on for you, but its always hard losing friends or family ((((hug))))

PS - heavy duty tiewraps make good handcuffs!

quote Originally posted by Ken Wittlief: I'll get a new car out of the deal and a DUI will be out one car and one license.

That's IF he has insurance...otherwise yours will go up.

And so he'll be out a car....and he MAY already be out a license. Will it change anything? No. He'll just get another car from SOMEWHERE!! They always do.

My friend got a DUI. They put this thing on his car that wouldn't let it start until he blew thru the hose. If it sensed ANY alcohol...the car would not start. That's an idea.

I kinda like the idea of vigilanti justice. Ha. (i probably spelled that wrong...I don't care right now)

Anyhow. Only an hour til I go to the wake. Sigh. A bunch of people I haven't seen since high school...most of whom I don't WANT to see.

Sometimes I wish I could just turn off all my emotions. Never feel anything again, unless I wanted to.

at least he wont hit anyone or anything that night

except maybe his own windshield

I don't know what we can do about the situation. More laws aren't always the answer. In NC, if you get a DWI, you loose your liscense for a year and have to go to some kind of alcohol awareness class. That seems ok for a first offense (unless someone's injured). What gets me are the people who have 20, 30 and more DWI's. There liscense has been permanently revoked, but they keep driving.

I can see having a reasonable punishment for a first offense (provided there are no injuries). Repeat offenders? Sorry, by the 2nd time, their driver's liscense should be permanently gone. 3rd time should be jail time.

I'm wary of "No Tolerance" laws, becasue they have proven to bring out more stupidity than they prevent. Our biggest problem isn't the laws we have - it's that they aren't being properly enforced.

But, if someone's injured, or godforbid killed, they should be tried for manslaughter, or attempted manslaughter if it's only an injury.

Was your friend a saved christain? I'm a christain, and I hope she was a born again believer. Anyways, for drunk driver's if they kill someone, I think it should be instant execution, so if a person is found dead cause of a drunk driver, the cops pull out a shotgun, and blow the persons head off. Or if a person is injured, chop the persons hands off, they won't be able to drive anymore.

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Silver 1985 Pontiac Fiero GT
_____________________
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Lady P, Sorry for your loss.

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quote Originally posted by 1985FieroGT: Was your friend a saved christain? I'm a christain, and I hope she was a born again believer. Anyways, for drunk driver's if they kill someone, I think it should be instant execution, so if a person is found dead cause of a drunk driver, the cops pull out a shotgun, and blow the persons head off. Or if a person is injured, chop the persons hands off, they won't be able to drive anymore.

Old Testament style justice, eh? I guess it's God's responsibility to forgive, and the responsibility of the police to arrange the meeting...

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Dillon
Black '87 SE V6
Metallic Green '87 GT (pics coming soon)

"And this one time, on the Fiero Forum..."

quote Originally posted by Formula88: I don't know what we can do about the situation. More laws aren't always the answer. In NC, if you get a DWI, you loose your liscense for a year and have to go to some kind of alcohol awareness class. That seems ok for a first offense (unless someone's injured). What gets me are the people who have 20, 30 and more DWI's. There liscense has been permanently revoked, but they keep driving. I can see having a reasonable punishment for a first offense (provided there are no injuries). Repeat offenders? Sorry, by the 2nd time, their driver's liscense should be permanently gone. 3rd time should be jail time. I'm wary of "No Tolerance" laws, becasue they have proven to bring out more stupidity than they prevent. Our biggest problem isn't the laws we have - it's that they aren't being properly enforced. But, if someone's injured, or godforbid killed, they should be tried for manslaughter, or attempted manslaughter if it's only an injury.

I agree. Also, circumstances and BAC level should be taken into account when sentencing, even for the first offense. Someone just barely over the limit that was stopped at a roadblock is not the same as someone at .30 weaving at a high rate of speed in heavy traffic. The problem with some zero tolerance type laws is they would be sentenced the same.

Lady Pegasus, I'm sorry to hear about your friend.

DUI is one thing but as soon as you involve another crime then you should be charged with it. Why should someone get away with Murder or Manslaughter because they are drunk? Accountability.

Sorry to hear about your friend.

quote Originally posted by 1985FieroGT: Was your friend a saved christain? I'm a christain, and I hope she was a born again believer. Anyways, for drunk driver's if they kill someone, I think it should be instant execution, so if a person is found dead cause of a drunk driver, the cops pull out a shotgun, and blow the persons head off. Or if a person is injured, chop the persons hands off, they won't be able to drive anymore.

I sure hope we are not worshipping the same God as you. (Thou shalt not kill)

I'm so sorry about your friend. I also understand your anger about drunk driving laws. They should be MUCH stricter, especially when someone is killed. Drunk driving penalties should be re-evaluated. Again, I am so very sorry for your loss. *hugs*

quote Originally posted by Monkey-gal: I sure hope we are not worshipping the same God as you. (Thou shalt not kill)

I'm pissed off at what drunk drivers do all the time, it is no excuse, and God does give the law the right to execution. Eye for an Eye, tooth for a tooth, arm for an arm. So forth

.

[This message has been edited by Ken Wittlief (edited 09-19-2002).]

.

[This message has been edited by Tweek (edited 09-20-2002).]

Please don't get into the whole God thing. I don't need this turning into a flame thread.

The funeral and wake were to be as expected-tragic. I was thinking about punishment....The drunk should be forced to sit through a funeral and wake and see what his stupidity has done to a family. Her mother was just, broken. It was horrible.

AND THEN!! I found out...I could not believe it. The b@stard....the accident happened on Friday the 13th, the @ss was out Saturday afternoon. Know why? BECAUSE HE HAS FRIENDS ON THE POLICE FORCE!! What the hell is that? So it's OK for him TO KILL SOMEONE!! My anger just keeps growing and growing. I don't believe it.

I just thought you guys might like an update.

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Friends don't let friends drive drunk.

In Memory of:
Ryan Norton 1981-2002
Christine Lamprecht 1980-2002

Sorry to hear of your tragedy Lady P and really cannot offer any words that could help. But I do agree about stop turning this into a religous flame thread.
Please have some respect people.

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Fiero Shop - International | The Classic Fiero Owners Group - International

[This message has been edited by AusFiero (edited 09-19-2002).]

I'm very sorry to hear this news.

I have been involved in a legal matter over the last few months and have had plenty of time (before I was called) to see a parade of DUI cases.
Last week (9/16) there were 5 DUI cases 3 were repeat offenders (2 were 3rd offences) and the others were 1st timers and one of the 3 timers had a suspended drivers license! 2 of them hit parked cars and one caused an injury accident. All recieved jail time of varing lengths, All had to have an interlock installed in their cars, All had to attend rehab, All had to pay rather heafty fines. The judge really laid into the guy with the suspension and gave max sentence of 3 years jail time and mandatory AA meetings.

Today I saw another DUI case where the drunk hit a parked car, sped away and was later found and arrested, His BAL was .19, almost twice the legal limit. He has been behind bars since Aug 6th and will remain there.
In Aug I saw a DUI case where a well educated guy landed a very lucritive contract for his private business. He went out to celebrate and was arrested for DUI later that night. In a twist of irony the contract deadline is the end of september unfortunatly it is a deadline he will not be keeping since he is currently behind bars until mid october.

Seems that Delaware County PA is not a good place to drink and drive unless you want a vaccation. Though my legal problems are a PITA it is interesting to see our legal system at work.

Anyway it's just not worth the risk to drink and drive. Even if you dont hurt someone in an accident, get caught, better pack your bags and whip out the mac card, the ticket to jail will cost you a few bucks.

The sad thing is that most of the time these cases take FOREVER to go to court while the guy gets to be scott free...doing what ever he pleases. Probably drinking and driving again. I think I am going to write our dear President a letter....like that will do any good. I am so outraged. I just want to campaign. I don't want to see any more mothers wrecked over this....no more innocent lives destroyed...it's just senseless.

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Friends don't let friends drive drunk.

In Memory of:
Ryan Norton 1981-2002
Christine Lamprecht 1980-2002

Another good thing for people to remember is: when you are going to make a left hand turn, whether you are in a designated turning lane or not, keep your front wheels straight until you have an opening.

Lady P's friend might not have been pushed into oncoming traffic and could have survived if the car was aimed straight ahead.

Sorry for the loss Lady P. May grandpa just passed away last night in his sleep. I have a funeral to go to as well...

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I am bumping this because I want to make sure that everyone can read this. I am hoping that by putting this up, it may deter someone else from making the same mistake, or encourage people to talk about this more. Knowledge is power, people. I don't want this tragedy to happen to anyone else and their family.

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Friends don't let friends drive drunk.

In Memory of:
Ryan Norton 1981-2002
Christine Lamprecht 1980-2002

im sorry about ur lost...i lost a good friend in a situation like this too...it hurts to lose ppl close to u..im 19 and i have lost nine friends already....most to things that were out of their control...society is getting worse and worse because no one does a dman thing to reprimand the ppl who commit these crimes..

Sorry to hear about your loss, it really hits hard when someone you love, or a friend has their life erased by some irrespossible driver. It is the sharing compassion of a fellow human being that leaves a hollow spot in our lives when they depart, that hurts the survivors beyond words expressed, as it lasts a lifetime.

I don't know what is worse, being killed by a drunk driver, or stuck with life-long medical problems as a result of the accident. I say this because I was the unfortunate victim of a drunk driver, and I'm faced with a body that is damaged, and will requird more and more surgeries as I get older. This is part of the equation that is left out of most people's minds, you learn to live with pain (somewhat), but your quality of life goes down-hill as you get older, because more and more repair work is required in the areas that were affected. Bottom line is that if you get nailed hard and live, it can make for a real tough life. Speaking from experience, sometimes I really wonder if I want to go on any further, because there's only so much the best doctors can do.

You need to focus on your quality of life to get the most out of it now, because you really don't know how many days you have left on this planet.

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Click to Listen!

i'm sorry to hear about your friend,my heart goes out to your friend's parents,that's so sad.
As for drunk drivers.It should be zero tolerance.get caught loose your license forever.Keep them off the road for good.I think alot more people would think twice if they knew they would never be able to drive again.
My thaught are with you and your friends family.take care.

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Best of class-HMN- Carlisle 2002

Lady P, I am sorry for your loss.

I read this thread when it first appeared but didn't post a reply, but don't believe I and the others who did the same thing weren't thinking of you, your friend and your friends family.

Tonight I took a drunk off the road and put him in jail and the whole time I worked this DWI your thread was in the back of my mind, it made me feel real good to know he wouldn't kill anyone tonight.

His blood alcohol level was .21 at 12:20am when I caught him, hopefully the new tougher Minnesota laws will work to keep him off the roads for a loong time.

It gets frustrating to watch the revolving door these a**holes go through with the court system but I still hunt them.

My ex-girlfriend lost her 19 year old brother to a drunk driver two years ago, they found a lot of help through MADD with support and dealing with the courts, please contact them and put your friends family in contact with them too.

Good Luck, Officer Steve

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Me & Mrs. Fierohoho

Thanks Steve.
Probably one of the few time you will see me post a thank you to a cop but in this case popping a drunk instead of a stop sign milker is noteworthey.

Thank you.....I have decided that I am going to try to reach as many people as I can. I am gonna write to as many state senators as I can, start working with Illinois and Indiana...the two closest to my home. Even if I don't get a response...doing this will help me.

And if you thought the situation couldn't get any worse...the drunk...his dad is a politician in Indiana. So he'll walk. I can't believe it. It just keeps getting worse and worse, like a bad nightmare. It's still hard to talk about amongst my friends...but we're there for each other, and that's what's important. A friend and I plan on keeping in touch with the family, because they are the ones that truely lost.

Thank you again, everyone. This forum really is a wonderful thing.

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Friends don't let friends drive drunk.

In Memory of:
Ryan Norton 1981-2002
Christine Lamprecht 1980-2002