Elizabeth Wilson–Record-Bee staff
LAKEPORT — On Tuesday, all 94 Clear Lake High School (CLHS) seniors saw a powerful presentation from Team DUI, the “Best Idea of the Year” winner for Stars of Lake County. Many students leaving the presentation said it “hit home.” Team DUI members said they hope the message is clear come the CLHS Prom Saturday night: “Don”t drink and drive.”
Former Clearlake Mayor Judy Thein spoke to students about the loss of her daughter Kellie due to a driver who was under the influence. “It”s something no parent should have to go through. Even though I wasn”t there, I hear her screams as she was trapped in the burning car,” Thein said. Students shared her emotion, wiping tears from their cheeks.
Kellie died just before Christmas in 2005, and soon after, Thein began organizing what would eventually become Team DUI to “carry on her legacy.”
Team DUI brings education to residents in the county about the consequences of driving while intoxicated. The team tells heart-wrenching stories to students about personal losses and how alcohol has affected lives in the county.
Thein also encouraged the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport to adopt underage drinking ordinances.
Clearlake Chief of Police Allan McClain spoke to students about how several years ago, he was responsible for a stretch of highway leading to the coast. A 19-year-old “beautiful young woman who dreamed of having a large family” was traveling to class.
Coming the other direction was a young man who had a couple of beers after work and was heading home. The man, for unknown reasons, crossed the double-yellow lines, forever “ruining this young woman”s life, instantly altering both their lives.”
“While this man was able to walk away from his car, he had to live with the horror that she was trapped in the car, which had caught on fire. Today, you wouldn”t recognize her.”
She was burned on 90 percent of her body and had to undergo skin graft surgeries just to survive, and she could no longer have children, McClain said.
He told the students that they might receive a stern lecture, but to “please call” instead of getting behind the wheel while intoxicated, or riding in a car with a person who has been drinking. “I will pick you up and give you a ride,” McClain said. The Clearlake Police Department can be reached at (707) 994-8251.
Ryan White, 20, of Rohnert Park, told students how last year, he and his best friend and cousin went four-wheeling in the mountains above Lake Pillsbury. After a few beers, White got behind the wheel with his cousin in the passenger seat. After running a stop sign, the vehicle rolled twice, and White”s cousin was ejected from his seat. He was pronounced dead after being rushed to an ambulance in Potter Valley. “Please, don”t drink and get in the car,” White told the class. “I wake up every day living a nightmare.”
If you are interested in preventing DUI and learning about available services in the county, please call Carrie White, prevention specialist for the Lake County Alcohol and Other Drug Services at 263-8162.
Contact Elizabeth Wilson at ewilson@record-bee.com
