Message from Carolyn Scharf


DUI DEATH---NOT AN ACCIDENT

The assumption that the overwhelming tragedy of a DUI death is a mere accident or social faux pas is thankfully changing. 


The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has listed DUI education as one of three major reasons highway deaths have decreased in the last decade.  It is surely fair to say that drivers now know that alcohol impairs everyone’s ability to safely control a vehicle.  Drinking alcohol is an intentional choice.  Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle afterward is an intentional choice.  Under these circumstances, killing another person while driving drunk constitutes wanton disregard for the value of human life—a felony---not an accident.

 

 

ALCOHOLISM AS A DISEASE

So many people seem to speak of the disease of alcoholism as though it is an excuse for lawless, destructive behavior.  Indeed, alcoholism is a pitiable condition; however, there are laws to protect against or delay the possible onset of this disease.  Every state has set 21 years old as the minimum drinking age—thereby protecting a young person until physical frontal brain maturity can occur.  Every state tries to make DUI a crime in order to protect its citizens.  Drinking alcohol is a choice.  Driving a car after drinking is a choice.  Alcoholics must be stopped from choosing to endanger others by getting on our roads.  Ultimately AN ALCOHOLIC’S DISEASE MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO KILL MY INNOCENT CHILD.



SHOULD ALCOHOLICS BE ALLOWED TO DRIVE?

A point of interest:  People with uncontrolled epilepsy are not allowed to drive because they might have a seizure and endanger themselves and others.  Since alcoholism cannot be cured, should alcoholics be allowed to drive?  They might succumb to their disease at any time and endanger themselves and others on our roads.  How can we protect ourselves if alcoholics aren’t required to function in a socially responsible manner?  Don’t we have the right to keep alcoholics from depriving us and our loved ones of our right to life?  An alcoholic’s disease must not be allowed to kill my innocent child!

 

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Message from Debbie Moskwa



Letter I sent to all KY Legislators 2011 Session

Close your eyes, imagine getting a phone call at 2:45 a.m. to hear the words "your son was fatally injured.  I don't have to imagine, that is my reality that I live with everyday.  I can still hear my piercing screams "they killed by my baby" over and over again.

Ricky, 24 yrs old. just beginning his life was just traveling through KY. His life was STOLEN from him by drunk drivers.  His dad was severely  injured and to this day still suffers from those injuries that are a constant reminder of Ricky death.  Carmen Williams of OH was also killed.  Ricky's girlfriend was also injured.

So many lives touched by people who made the decision to drink & drive and in the end KILL.

Serving 8 mos. of  a 13 yr sentence allowed by shock probation is not justice and is unacceptable.

There is the argument that shock probation is rarely used (which also is in dispute), does not mean it is a good law.  One shock probation in a dui death, is one too many.

The shock of Ricky being stolen from his family/friends are beyond words, but then to be shocked by becoming victims of shock probation was and still is a crushing  blow where the law allows a judge to make a mockery of the value of my son's life and others killed by drunk drivers. by not making the convicted offender to serve the prescribed sentence according to your sentencing guidelines.

Let no more families endure the pain of shock probation. Please pass SB 57.   Remember, you or a family member could become the next victim.

In Love & Memory of Ricky!
Thank you.


PLEASE NOTE:  I HAD NOT ONE RESPONSE FROM ANY LEGISLATOR REGARDING THIS LETTER.  OUR 2011 BILL WAS HELD UP IN THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WHERE SENATOR TOM JENSEN REFUSED TO BRING IT BEFORE THE COMMITTEE TO BE HEARD.