Shameful...but thank goodness the kids weren't hurt

Last spring, I spoke at Iroquois Central High School about the dangers of drinking and driving. An auditorium full of juniors and seniors listened to me pour out my heart as I begged them not to drink and drive and be more aware of adults who do. I even went to their senior prom to remind them about the dangers of DWI

That's why this story hit close to home...I have a special bond with that school.

Monday morning, Robert Donnelly, a 70 year old East Aurora man drove four students from Iroquois to the Baker Road School in Orchard Park. He was drunk. Luckily the students got to their destination safely.

When he arrived back at the school, a supervisor smelled alcohol on his breath then alerted school officials and police. Donnelly was charged with DWI, he blew a .14 BAC. That was the exact same BAC that Michael McCarthy blew. He was the drunk driver convicted of killing my sister Karen.

Not only was Donnelly charged by state police, he was also placed on unpaid administrative leave at the district, where he had been a driver for the past eight years.

My question is this: What was he drinking for so early in the morning? Perhaps he has a serious drinking problem?

Didn't the kids smell any alcohol on his breath?

Perhaps police and school district officials should not look at this as an isolated incident, but instead take precautions with bus drivers to make sure it doesn't happen again. Train the drivers, bring in speakers (like myself) to talk about the dangers of DWI, and be more aware of those who try to drive drunk.

This could happen again.

Thank goodness no one was hurt.

Deanna

Latest on the 2009 CAID Softball Tourney

Plans are underway for the 2009 CAID Softball Tournament!

Here are the details:

Saturday, August 15, 2009
Games start at 9am
Sunshine Park
East and West Road, West Seneca

The registration fee is just $200 a team. We are also looking for donations for the silent auction.

Prizes include gift certificates from Darien Lake, the Bisons, gift baskets and much more!

For team registration forms or if you'd like to donate, email me at deanna@karenscrusade.org

Thanks!

Deanna

More young lives snuffed out too soon - only this time it's different

He was just 22 years old, had just pitched one of his best games of his short major league career.

Soon after he left the ballpark, Nick Adenhart was hit by a driver with a .24 BAC - three times the legal limit. That crash killed the California Angels pitcher, along with a 20 year old California State University student and a law student. Another victim is fighting for his life in the hospital.

Unfortunately, it's another sad story of young lives - on the cusp of the rest of their lives - taken by a driver who made a bad choice. Police say the drunk driver, 22 year old Andrew Thomas Gallo, was on probation, he was driving with a suspended license. They say he ran a red light, and slammed into the car carrying Adenhart, and three of his friends. Then Gallo fled, only to be arrested by police 30 minutes later.

The difference with this case - Gallo's being charged with three counts of murder, along with driving under the influence and leaving the scene of the accident. Rarely do drunk drivers get charged with murder.

Kudos to the California Prosecuters office and the judge who made that decision.

In the case of the death of my sister, the drunk driver was charged with vehicular manslaughter and vehicular assault - for the death of Karen and injuries he caused Katie.

All I can think right now is Adenhart was just about to make a name for himself, just about to start leading the Angels to what could have been greatness, and the two others who were killed, who knows...but again a drunk driver took them away - from their family, friends, and the community that loved them.

Think what could have been - what he could have been - what his friends could have contributed to society, nope, not going to happen...all because of a drunk driver.

When are things going to change? When are people going to learn that they can't drink, drive, and get home safely?

Drunk driving takes too many lives - I'm going to keep fighting against it until stories like this become non-existent.

Deanna

Happy Birthday

On April 3, 1979, my parents brought you into my life. I was four years old.

Our childhood was a happy one. Even though we didn't have many material possessions, there was a lot of love in our house. Lots of hugs, and smiles.

Remember the times when we would play "Uno" in my tiny bedroom? Or the times we'd fight over the window seat on the trips to Baltimore?

Remember the night when we went to see "Little Mermaid" at the movies? We were both young adults, yet we laughed like kids.

Over the years, we experienced life's good moments - like graduations, proms, and those that were a little more rocky.

I can't tell you how many times your smile or your "Hi Dee!" greeting would brighten up my day.

Today you would have been 30 years old, and I can't help but wonder who you'd be today.

I see your smile, I see your face I hear you laughing in the rain Still can't believe you're gone

It ain't fair you died too young Like a story that had just begun The death tore the pages all away God knows how I miss you All the hell that I've been through Just knowing no one could take your *love away* Sometimes I wonder who you'd be today

Would you see the world? Would you chase your dreams? Settle down with a family? I wonder, what would you name your babies?

When I have kids, they'll hear all about you - you can count on it. They'll see the pictures, hear all the stories, but unfortunately they won't be able to meet you in person.

I know you are my angel, guiding me through the pain, not a day goes by when I don't think of you.

I love you and miss you Karen.

Deanna

(The picture above was taken at one of the last Christmas gatherings spent with Karen. From Left to right, My cousin Melissa, Karen, and I)