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Dear Editor:

As I write this letter, I do so with a heavy heart as I am reading yet again, another local story about the DWI crashes that continue to take place on a daily basis. A heavy heart, because I, like all too many others have had the personal experience of knowing what it is to have my family affected by someone else’s poor choice to drink and drive; first as a young wife, and then years later, as a mother.

That I am here to tell you that there is nothing more emotionally devastating then to suddenly find yourself and your young children left to live the remainder of your life without someone you deeply love and all because someone else felt its okay to get behind the wheel and drive while impaired. That I am here to tell you that there is nothing more emotionally painful to experience as a mother, then to suddenly find yourself standing in the hallway next to the trauma unit in a hospital, helplessly listening the agonizing cries of your adult child while his injuries are being evaluated without the aid of any pain medication; injuries that were the result of being struck head-on by a drunk driver while crossing the street. Heart wrenching cries that literally tear your heart apart!

That I ask each and every person who thinks its okay to drive impaired, “why would you be willing to take such deadly risk with your life and the lives of others?” That I ask each and every parent who is willing to host a party where alcohol is being served to underage youth, “why would you be willing to place their precious young lives in such jeopardy?”

Bottom line, summer is just around the corner and as such, am whole-heartedly pleading with each and every person reading this letter to please “think twice” when it comes to each and every situation relating to drinking and driving, which includes getting into a car being driven by an impaired driver, for once a deadly choice is made, there is no going back for anyone involved. Just a lifetime sentence of death, loss, injury and deep emotional wounds that time can never really heal. A horrific, life changing tragedy that is absolutely, 100% PREVENTABLE.