Published by Deborah on 07 Jul 2005 at 05:14 pm
Drunk Driving: A Persistent Problem in the US
I just read a post about Katie Flynn about a horrific drunk driving accident that took the life of a seven year-old girl as well as a limo driver in Long Island. This post spoke volumes to me because twenty years ago, I never thought about the consequences of drinking and driving.
I shared the same fatalistic attitude that nothing bad will happen if I get into a car with a drunk driver. Although I’ve never driven while drunk, I once drove while I was stoned. Fortunately, I was on a residential street, but still . . .
Twenty years later, I look back on that incident (as well as the time where I rode along with a group full of stoned guys up Highway 17 to Santa Cruz) and consider myself lucky to have survived without incident. It never occurred to me that the driver could have smashed his car into the side of the mountain. I’ve since gotten over my fatalism.
But there are those who will never grow out of theirs. I’ll cite Martin Heidgen (the drunk in the above article) as an example. This guy has prior DUIs in three different states. His fatalistic and irresponsible attitude not only killed a little girl and a limo driver, but caused irrevocable pain for three families.
There is a debate going on right now whether or not drunk drivers should be charged with murder. In California, if you kill a person while driving under the influence, you are charged with vehicular manslaughter.
I don’t know what that punishment brings now, but I know that one of my family member’s boyfriend got community service for vehicular manslaughter while driving recklessly (at a speed of 70-90 mph). The male passenger was life-flighted to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. His wife lost an eye and was paralyzed. The boyfriend was sentenced to serve 200 hours of community service. I was pissed that he got off so easy.
In my mind, there should be stiffer penalties for DUIs as well as reckless driving, especially the ones involving fatalities. Should they be charged with premeditated murder, as one commenter suggested? I feel that’s too strong. 2nd degree, definitely.
Give them at least 10 years behind bars for their stupidity–one life saved for every year.
blahblahfreakingblah on 07 Jul 2005 at 7:13 pm #
Thank you for writing this after reading my posts about Katie. I agree with you and I thank you for helping spread the word.
Paul Hartman on 12 Jul 2005 at 8:35 am #
This is in response to the comment. I worked with Marty Heidgen and he was NOT one who was reckless and careless. He did NOT have DUI’s in 3 states. It was one in his hometown of Arkansas and he wasn’t convicted of it. Marty is a responsible person and I know his actions on that fateful night are not to be downplayed in anyway. Should he have been drinking and driving? NO. Should someone have taken the keys away from him? YES. I know right now he wishes that it was him who would have lost his life instead of the driver and the little girl to lessen the strain he has put on the families and the community as a whole. Was it reckless or negligent, or even premeditated? That is truly the question. Did he intend to get in his car and cause harm to himself and others? Was it his sole purpose to get on the highway going the wrong way? I know that area of Long Island and even during the day, at lunch time if you are not from the area you can get on the highway and go the wrong way. The signs are horrible, and the only way you will know you are going the wrong way is that you will see cars coming at you. At that time of night when the accident occurred there aren’t that many cars to alert you that you are headed in the wrong direction. Marty just moved here to NYC and the accident was out by Freeport, Marty lived in Valley Stream and I’m sure with the level of intoxication coupled with not being familiar with the area he was suffice to say confused. In no way do I condone his actions. He will have to live with this for the rest of his life, and believe me HE WILL. So giving a 24 yr old 10 years in a penitentiary with murderers and killers and rapists and just plain evil people who have intentionally caused bodily harm to their victims is absolutely rediculous! All for something solely based on the fact that you feel it needs to be done b/c of what “could have” happened to you years ago is moot. Peace and love to all families involved. Remember, kiss and hug your children every single day and tell them you love them. We all fall down, but the pain is a little less when we have someone to pick us up.
Deborah on 12 Jul 2005 at 4:46 pm #
Hi, Paul,
I based my comment on what I read in Blah Blah Freaking Blah about his alleged record. I stand corrected and apologize. My attitude isn’t based on what could have happened to me, but what is still happening right now.
Every state has its danger spots, some worse than others. I’ve driven in different cities that had very confusing roads/highways. That heightens the risk of getting involved in an accident. Alcohol and/or drugs makes the situation much worse, as Marty found out.
I still believe that we should have harsher punishments for DUI’s, especially the repeat offenders. Those cases are premeditated, as far as I’m concerned.
I feel bad for everyone involved in that accident, including Marty. This was a tragedy that should never have happened. Whether it was premeditated or stupidity will have to be determined by a jury. Personally, I don’t think it was premeditated but a very stupid decision. The fact that a child was killed made my blood boil (as it did with several commenters on Blah Blah’s blog).
I don’t know Marty and therefore can’t pass an opinion of what kind of a person he is. I’ll have to take your word that he’s a good person. My hope is that he’ll learn from this and do something positive for the community.
Blah Blah on 24 Jul 2005 at 7:58 pm #
What I wrote on my blog was that Martin had 3 prior moving violations and one prior DUI that he refused a breathlyzer and beat it.
His previous moving violations were for speeding, going down the street the wrong way and driving without a license.
I apologize if the way I wrote it caused you to think it was 3 prior DUIs. I cleared that up when Paul wrote on my blog. I just wanted to set the record straight.
But I do believe that Martin’s driving history and his previous DUI represents a reckless attitude that ultimately destroyed lives, including his own.
I hope others learn from this. That is the only good that can come out of this.
Obilon on 11 Oct 2005 at 1:21 pm #
I think back to my own youthful years and just can’t believe I did so many stupid things, like driving while impared or intoxicated. Obviously I never do it as an adult but I consider myself a reasonable guy and if I was doing it I can imagine how many other people did it. I see now that I was extremely unreasonable back then and hope that my own children never make that choice like I did and put many people in danger.
Deborah on 11 Oct 2005 at 1:39 pm #
I hope mine don’t either.