TESTIMONIES FROM UNDERAGE DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENTS

Nothing clicks into your head better than a message that hits close to home. Sometimes the only way to let reality set in is to actually read about it. The following information are articles that include interviews from different people involved in underage drunk driving accidents. Included are different perspectives from parents, offenders and victims.

Father's story about underage drinking and driving

The following article is a news story from Toledo, OH. It is about a parent trying to prevent kids from drinking and driving as a way to make up for the mistake of losing his kid to drinking and driving.

As schools enter homecoming season, one father is trying to stop kids from drinking and driving.

As high schools head into homecoming season one parent is sharing his story for the first time to try and stop kids from drinking and driving.

Brian Wolf has been through five years of misery. His son, also named Brian, a Clay High School grad, died on December 20th, 2003, at the age of 21. Brian made the decision that night to drink and drive.

He's now telling his son's fatal story to high school students, to warn them of the consequences. But the message is also for parents: don't let your underage kids drink at home. Brian did. And he carries that guilt of setting a bad example every day.

"I was guilty of allowing underage drinking take place at my home, thinking that the kids would be safe, instead of driving around," says Brian Wolf. "I paid the ultimate price before I learned. I'd just hate for any youth to lose their life or any parent to go through losing their child."

Experts say this is a good time to get the message out. That's because alcohol-related traffic deaths for teens are typically higher during homecoming weekend than other times of the year. 1

Rob's Story

The following is an article written by a 26 year old named Rob who shares his shocking experience from drinking. He may not be underage, but his experience is enough to make anyone think twice about drinking.

I was very shy socially, and drinking would ease that. I was hooked from the get go. I made a lot of new friends. I drank and drove hundreds of times. Nothing bad ever happened.

It seems like it always catches up to you though. I am now 26 years old, luckily. I have been arrested twice for DWI. I went through 26 weeks of alcohol classes. Finally my probation was over, and I felt free again.

Of course, I learned nothing. I went to a bar with a friend. Had a million beers. Didn't think twice about getting in his car to go home.

Later that morning, I woke up with a broken femur, a broken eye socket. I had no feeling in the left side of my face. Later I learned that the feeling would not come back. The dashboard had gone right through my leg, pinning me until the paramedics arrived.

I also woke up to find that 12 feet of rope had been placed in my nose, because my sinus cavity was crushed. My jaw was also sutured shut.

Basically, I was drinking one moment and the next I was laying in bed not being able to see, not able to breath. My mouth was shut, and my sinus cavity was broken so was breathing out of one nostril. Couldn’t move because I had a major break in my leg.

How one moment can change your life is amazing. This was two years ago. I’m still going to physical therapy. Oh how I wish I could take that day back.

Oh, all my drinking buddies? They’re all gone now. They weren't “professionals“ like me. I was the one at the parties trying to get everyone drunk. My friend alcohol really made me pay my dues.

Thank God I never hurt any one else. Well, physically anyway. Mentally I have done my damage.

Lucky to be here,

Rob (2)

Lives torn apart by underage drunk driver

The following article is a news story about how a 19 year old drunk driver caused the death of a fellow teen. The news story is from Charlotte, NC.

Three years ago a Charlotte family was torn apart by an underage drunk driver.

"I want people to realize how quickly life can change," mom Mary Kelker said.

For Mary and John Kelker the change began with an early morning knock at the door.

"And I couldn't get it through my head and I kept saying where is she? 'Well she died at the scene,'" Mary Kelker said.

She is their daughter Janine, the oldest of three, the one who organized family gatherings and was thoughtful and responsible.

Three years ago on a night when she had agreed to be the designated driver for her friends, Janine was killed by a 19-year-old who'd been drinking and driving.

"I miss her smile. I miss her hug. I just miss everything. I just want it all back," said her sad John Kelker.

Part of their joy is gone. While there have been many efforts to honor Janine's memory, like a Habitat home, the one person they really want to remember her is the man behind the wheel.

"I would like to know if he thinks about her. Does he think about her every day? Has this changed his life?" Mary Kelker asked.

Kyle Heaberlin admitted having at least seven beers the night he ran the stoplight and hit Janine's car. He had been in trouble for drinking before. In a plea bargain he pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter and underage drinking.

"Ninety days, 90 days for destroying us," Mary Kelker said.

The Kelkers filed a civil suit. Part of the settlement requires Heaberlin to speak publically to groups about drinking and driving.

"Five speaking engagements for the next five years," Mary Kelker said. "I think the main thing with that is that we don't want him to forget what he did."

The Kelkers continue to rebuild their own life after Janine's death.

"I can remember with Janine all the hugs we got. It wasn't enough, but I'm just so glad that I did that."

And hope her story opens a dialogue between parents and children.

"You have to establish with them an understanding that if they ever find themselves in a situation where they have been drinking to call home," Mary Kelker said.

We called and wrote Kyle Heaberlin and his parents. They declined to be interviewed, but Kyle's mother did say that her son will do those speaking engagements that were part of the civil settlement.

The Kelkers would like to be there when he does. (3)