If you do not believe drinking and driving ruin lives you are just flat-out wrong! It always increases the likelihood that a tragedy could occur.
Here is a story that proves my point. As reported in www.postandcourier.com.
A Textbook Case
The case of Samuel McCauley also raised questions about the state’s Victims’ Bill of Rights, and whether it gives victims a right to a hearing when a sentence reduction is considered.
McCauley, who was 19 at the time, got drunk, sped the wrong way up an Interstate and struck 72-year-old Eleanor Caperton’s car head-on in July 2011. She died from her injuries, and he was so drunk that he didn’t know how he came to be in a hospital.
McCauley pleaded guilty to charges of reckless homicide and felony DUI involving death, and he was originally sentenced to spend 10 years in jail. In May, McCauley’s jail time to five years, without holding a hearing, after being asked to reconsider by McCauley’s lawyer.
The result was that the victim’s family got another chance to tell the judge about their pain and call for a tougher sentence — but the sentence was not changed.
Many lives ruined by alcohol and the decision to drink and drive. If you or someone you care about has a drinking problem, please seek help. An alcohol class is a good place to start. If you prefer to maintain total anonymity there are online alcohol programs too.