LOWER LAKE — Students at Carl? High School joined in the quad area on Wednesday, Sept. 26 for a special presentation illustrating the consequences of drinking and driving. Guest speakers represented victims, grieving families and first responders. Representatives from the Lake County District Attorney”s Office divisions of Victim Witness and Investigations also helped paint a clear picture of the consequences that can ensue as a result of driving under the influence.
The program began with a video depiction of a tragic night ending in a fatal vehicle collision. The video, produced in Middletown by Johnny Healy and Casey Yahnke as part of an educational assignment, illustrated all the chaos, grief, pain and regret that can adversely affect those connected to one person”s poor choice.
Following the video, students and guests gathered where they heard first-hand accounts from those whose lives have been directly affected by drinking and driving. Clear Lake area Highway Patrol Information Officer Adam Garcia briefly introduced himself and the purpose for the group”s visit. “We are here to provide you with information to make educated choices,” Garcia said before turning the floor over to Crystal Martin of Victim Witness.
Martin”s remarks were brief and focused on the limitation and extent to which she and her department can assist victims of drunk driving. “If you knowingly get into a car with an intoxicated driver, there”s nothing we can do for you. That”s something you might want to keep in mind,” she said. “It”s all about your choices and what you choose to do ? so don”t drink and drive.”
Clearlake Mayor Judy Thein shared a tragic story with the group. Thein, a grieving mother, lost her daughter Kellie to a DUI-related collision nearly two years ago. She shared with the group all of the pain that she faces daily and the struggles she endures with the healing process. By sharing her story, she asked the students to keep in mind all the people who mean a lot to them, such as their parents, friends and teachers.
Thein recalled the last phone call she had received from her daughter. Kellie told her mother that she was taking a trip and would be back for Christmas.
“Kellie never came home for Christmas again. She was killed that night,” Thein said. Kellie was the passenger in a vehicle driven by an intoxicated driver.”
Thein described the fiery crash that took her daughter”s life, and how Kellie”s body had been crushed, remaining inside the vehicle until the fire was extinguished.
“She did not deserve to die in such a manner and neither does anybody else,” said Thein. “As the months went on, I don”t know how we survived. Our family will never be the same again. It”s all gone and I can”t bring her back. That driver took from me and our family, our Kellie.”
Erica Harrison was 17 years-old and attending Middletown High School when tragedy struck as a result of her own decision. The consequences Harrison suffers are visible. Harrison lost her right leg from the knee down when she chose to drive intoxicated.
“My leg was hanging on by four inches of skin,” she said.
Harrison recalled the pain she had put her family through and how her collision had affected her friends.
“It was really hard for them,” she said. “They had to see me being wheeled away on the gurney, not knowing if I was going to live or die.
“I never thought it would happen to me but it did and I regret it a lot,” Harrison said. “Because of one stupid decision you want to make it could affect you for the rest of your life.”
Carl? Principal Bill MacDougall shared his story with the students. He said grew up with alcoholic parents. His father was driving killed in a DUI accident. Which led to the destruction and eventual death of his mother. “Drinking and driving started something in my life,” he said.
MacDougall quit drinking after a collision in which three promising high school students and star athletes were killed.
The incident had had a tremendous impact on the entire student body at Lower Lake High School, which MacDougall had been vice principal of at the time. “I never drank again,” he concluded.
Officer Garcia gave the students a view of the impact fatal collisions have on first responders. He told a story about coming upon a collision one night in San Jose. He described a horrific scene with multiple fatalities. He said that he is still haunted by the image of the 8-year-old girl he found lifeless near the road. “She was looking up at me. That haunts me all the time,” he said.
Garcia concluded the program with advice for students. “It doesn”t just affect your family, yourself; it affects everybody. Think about all the people who will be affected by the decision you make,” he said.
Following their presentation at Carl? High School, the group was off to Konocti Community School. Next week they will make a visit to Lower Lake High School where they will be making classroom presentations.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
