View Full Version : Wow!!!! Read This
OHIOSTEVE
08-06-2007, 09:14 AM
My sister in law just called....My nephew was on his way home from work last wednesday and a guy passed him driving like a maniac...swerving and passing cars on the wrong side etc.......when he passed my nephew a lady was jogging and he hit her. My nephew said he hit her so hard her arm was torn off and she flew up in the air and hit the ground dead..The driver took off and my nephew ran him down in his truck and somehow forced him to stop...got him outta his car and made him walk back to the scene of the accident. Guy was drunk and refused the breathalizer.....I will never understand how someone can get behind the wheel drunk. I am 42 ( will be wednesday) and one time in my life I drank a haf a beer and drove 2 blocks THATS IT!!!!!! I don't get the mindset that wants to get drunk and drive. I know a guy that will fight you for his keys if he is drunk..his daughter is the same way and has already had a few wrecks because of it.
FJ and G
08-06-2007, 09:39 AM
That's so sad.
(not just drunk driving; driving sleeping or chatting on cell phone just as bad)
Minotaur
08-06-2007, 09:40 AM
That drunk driver is toast (as he should be). :mad:
farsscf
08-06-2007, 10:07 AM
Nest time you see your nephew, shake his hand for me.
jacktheblack
08-06-2007, 10:09 AM
Nest time you see your nephew, shake his hand for me.
ditto from me brother
newmexico123
08-06-2007, 10:25 AM
Doesn't matter that he didn't blow he is going down for vehicular homicide - as far as the drinking goes - both my parents are alcoholics so I know that there is no reasoning with them. I used to be a district attorney and prosecuted many of these type folks - one guy I prosecuted had 22 previous DWIs!
QUALITYGUY1
08-06-2007, 10:28 AM
That's so sad.
(not just drunk driving; driving sleeping or chatting on cell phone just as bad)
I agree, very sad.
Also, agree with the rest of your comment...they all kill people, just like the 5 girls that died in a fiery crash near my location, the cause was almost certain that the driver was text-messaging.
Bob 1
08-06-2007, 10:50 AM
I am just glad he was held at the scene, we had bassically the same thing happen last year but the guy with lots of DUI convictons left the scene and dried out for two days. Then he and his lawyer brother went down to the police station.
I know he paid some cash but got nothing more than some time on probation. That made me sick.
I am 42 ( will be wednesday) and one time in my life I drank a haf a beer and drove 2 blocks THATS IT!!!!!! I don't get the mindset that wants to get drunk and drive.
It's pretty simple, really. People never have the plan, "Let me get drunk so I can go drive." First, it's not against the law (in any state that I know of) to be driving with alcohol in your system. It's the amount that matters. Normal people, who consume alcohol, simply have their judgment impaired at some point when they consume enough of it. An average sized guy can only consume approx 2 beers on an empty stomach before he'll be "legally" drunk. But we all know that adults who consume alcohol regularly don't even get a buzz after 2-3 beers. And these folks usually drink a few more than 1 or 2 when they "go out". But yes, they are certainly taking a huge chance in this day and time.
Go back and watch some 70's reruns of shows like Police Story. I vividly recall one where a husband & wife just left a party and were pulled over by the cops because the husband was actually driving up on the curb/sidewalk! The cop asks him some questions and informs him he's not fit to drive. This entire time, his wife is laughing and giggling like someone who just took a hit of acid. The cop says to her, "Mrs. Smith, your husband isn't fit to drive, so you'll have to drive the rest of the way home." Why did I bring this up? Because it's a true snapshot of how the political pendulum has swung waaay to one side, as well as how society has changed in the past few decades. American society (like most) has always "celebrated" even the smallest of occasions with alcohol. Since the beginning of our nation.
Life used to be...cocktails before dinner....cocktail parties after work...it was humorous and harmless to see a co-worker get blasted at a social gathering....Otis as a lovable character on Andy Griffith etc...
Society dictated that you drank alcohol to have fun...and unwind after work. Now? Only 25yrs or so later, we're on the verge of public executions for persons caught over the "legal" limit while driving. Huge contrast. How did we get to where we are now? Mainly, one lobby has brought us where we are today. Politicians don't agree with the very laws they are passing, but it has become hugely popular to be "tough on drunk driving"....and it would be political suicide or a non-starter for a political career for anyone to publicly say we've gone too far.....or are at least at that doorstep.
I hope nobody gets the idea that I'm "pro" drinking & driving, lol. I'm merely trying to point out how society has tried to put the genie back in the bottle in a very short time frame, given the history of what was considered normal and even encouraged, for 2 centuries.
The tragedy mentioned here is sad, and I'm glad your nephew dragged the scumbag back to the scene. I was a pallbearer at age 14 for 2 girls that were close friends, who were hit/killed by a drunken driver while they were walking home from a rec center. But let's not get carried away.
bhaputi
08-06-2007, 12:17 PM
It's pretty simple, really. People never have the plan, "Let me get drunk so I can go drive." First, it's not against the law (in any state that I know of) to be driving with alcohol in your system. It's the amount that matters. Normal people, who consume alcohol, simply have their judgment impaired at some point when they consume enough of it. An average sized guy can only consume approx 2 beers on an empty stomach before he'll be "legally" drunk. But we all know that adults who consume alcohol regularly don't even get a buzz after 2-3 beers. And these folks usually drink a few more than 1 or 2 when they "go out". But yes, they are certainly taking a huge chance in this day and time.
Go back and watch some 70's reruns of shows like Police Story. I vividly recall one where a husband & wife just left a party and were pulled over by the cops because the husband was actually driving up on the curb/sidewalk! The cop asks him some questions and informs him he's not fit to drive. This entire time, his wife is laughing and giggling like someone who just took a hit of acid. The cop says to her, "Mrs. Smith, your husband isn't fit to drive, so you'll have to drive the rest of the way home." Why did I bring this up? Because it's a true snapshot of how the political pendulum has swung waaay to one side, as well as how society has changed in the past few decades. American society (like most) has always "celebrated" even the smallest of occasions with alcohol. Since the beginning of our nation.
Life used to be...cocktails before dinner....cocktail parties after work...it was humorous and harmless to see a co-worker get blasted at a social gathering....Otis as a lovable character on Andy Griffith etc...
Society dictated that you drank alcohol to have fun...and unwind after work. Now? Only 25yrs or so later, we're on the verge of public executions for persons caught over the "legal" limit while driving. Huge contrast. How did we get to where we are now? Mainly, one lobby has brought us where we are today. Politicians don't agree with the very laws they are passing, but it has become hugely popular to be "tough on drunk driving"....and it would be political suicide or a non-starter for a political career for anyone to publicly say we've gone too far.....or are at least at that doorstep.
I hope nobody gets the idea that I'm "pro" drinking & driving, lol. I'm merely trying to point out how society has tried to put the genie back in the bottle in a very short time frame, given the history of what was considered normal and even encouraged, for 2 centuries.
The tragedy mentioned here is sad, and I'm glad your nephew dragged the scumbag back to the scene. I was a pallbearer at age 14 for 2 girls that were close friends, who were hit/killed by a drunken driver while they were walking home from a rec center. But let's not get carried away.
It also used to be acceptable within a community to have a 40 year old man take a 12 year old as a wife. Or to kill your neighbor for transgressions of his family. Does that mean we should not change what is acceptable?
I deplore drinking and driving. To me, the amount is irrelevant. Once you touch alcohol, you should simply not drive. Why should you? Alcohol impairs judgment, so how can someone drinking be expected to judge for themselves whether they are "OK" to drive? That is the reason to have a limit.
It also used to be acceptable within a community to have a 40 year old man take a 12 year old as a wife. Or to kill your neighbor for transgressions of his family. Does that mean we should not change what is acceptable?
I deplore drinking and driving. To me, the amount is irrelevant. Once you touch alcohol, you should simply not drive. Why should you? Alcohol impairs judgment, so how can someone drinking be expected to judge for themselves whether they are "OK" to drive? That is the reason to have a limit.
Of course not. But somehow I think you missed my point. Calm down :)
bhaputi
08-06-2007, 12:32 PM
Of course not. But somehow I think you missed my point. Calm down :)
Sorry if I came across differently - I am 100% calm :)
I just think the mentality that driving after a few is ok to do is a bit dated. I have seen the results firsthand too many times. I see absolutely no reason to make other plans to get home when one is going out drinking. I like to tie one on occasionally, but I make sure ahead of time that I have a way home.
Sorry if I came across differently - I am 100% calm :)
I just think the mentality that driving after a few is ok to do is a bit dated. I have seen the results firsthand too many times. I see absolutely no reason to make other plans to get home when one is going out drinking. I like to tie one on occasionally, but I make sure ahead of time that I have a way home.
It's all good :). Let me play devil's advocate for a moment? So you plan on getting **** faced and make arrangements to get home. But do you ever take your girl/wife to dinner and have 2 glases of wine or 2 or 3 drinks/beers? I know the answer will be yes for many here (yeah, even on a BBing forum :)). In this case...do you leave your car and call a cab? No. And after 2-3 beers, wines, drinks....99% of people here will likely answer no. However, if pulled over for any reason at all, they could quite possibly register legally drunk. Are they "actually" drunk? Is their judgment really impaired in a significant way?
This ^ isn't everything to do with my first post either, so it'll just confuse folks. I'll just drop it right here :)
OHIOSTEVE
08-06-2007, 12:47 PM
It's all good :). Let me play devil's advocate for a moment? So you plan on getting **** faced and make arrangements to get home. But do you ever take your girl/wife to dinner and have 2 glases of wine or 2 or 3 drinks/beers? I know the answer will be yes for many here (yeah, even on a BBing forum :)). In this case...do you leave your car and call a cab? No. And after 2-3 beers, wines, drinks....99% of people here will likely answer no. However, if pulled over for any reason at all, they could quite possibly register legally drunk. Are they "actually" drunk? Is their judgment really impaired in a significant way?
This ^ isn't everything to do with my first post either, so it'll just confuse folks. I'll just drop it right here :)
DBX I can honestly say that NEVER do we drink even ONE drink and drive..neither my wife nor myself. IF I drink she does not..if she drinks I do not..NOT EVEN ONE. As I said I drank a half of a beer ONE TIME and drove 2 blocks. THAT is the MOST alcohol I have ever consumed then drove...as any other time it would be ZERO. I have no tolerance for it and find no excuse for it.
farsscf
08-06-2007, 12:56 PM
It's all good :). Let me play devil's advocate for a moment? So you plan on getting **** faced and make arrangements to get home. But do you ever take your girl/wife to dinner and have 2 glases of wine or 2 or 3 drinks/beers? I know the answer will be yes for many here (yeah, even on a BBing forum :)). In this case...do you leave your car and call a cab? No. And after 2-3 beers, wines, drinks....99% of people here will likely answer no. However, if pulled over for any reason at all, they could quite possibly register legally drunk. Are they "actually" drunk? Is their judgment really impaired in a significant way?
This ^ isn't everything to do with my first post either, so it'll just confuse folks. I'll just drop it right here :)
This is the reason for field sobriety tests to establish you are impaired and then proved with the BAC.
DBX I can honestly say that NEVER do we drink even ONE drink and drive..neither my wife nor myself. IF I drink she does not..if she drinks I do not..NOT EVEN ONE. As I said I drank a half of a beer ONE TIME and drove 2 blocks. THAT is the MOST alcohol I have ever consumed then drove...as any other time it would be ZERO. I have no tolerance for it and find no excuse for it.
I knew you'd say no, Steve (I recalled your statement about 1/2 beer :)). But I'm willing to bet you're a minority given the theoretical situation I offered. And while you "find no excuse for it", I must remind you that is legal to have a few drinks and then drive in every state I know of, as long as you're not over the legal limit. But yes, I understand you have zero tolerance.
michaeljazz
08-06-2007, 01:02 PM
Nest time you see your nephew, shake his hand for me.
x2!!!!
farsscf
08-06-2007, 01:03 PM
I understand your point and I used to have to explain this to the new guys. That it is not illegal to drive after you drink, it is illegal to be impaired, thus the reason for FSTs to show impairment followed up by the breathalyzer to provide a measure of BAC.
I remember being 5 years old and being picked up from child care after my parents went out and driving them home. Also being pulled over and the cops laughing saying as long as he is driving and following them home. Can you imagine what would happen if someone did that today? So I understand your point completely.
This is the reason for field sobriety tests to establish you are impaired and then proved with the BAC.
Yes, but if a person passed the test with flying colors and then shortly after struck a child chasing a ball into the street...that a sober Mario Andretti couldn't avoid...they would be crucified under today's laws and never see the light of day again. And this is part of my point. I'm not saying right or wrong...just making a point.
bhaputi
08-06-2007, 01:11 PM
Yes, but if a person passed the test with flying colors and then shortly after struck a child chasing a ball into the street...that a sober Mario Andretti couldn't avoid...they would be crucified under today's laws and never see the light of day again. And this is part of my point. I'm not saying right or wrong...just making a point.
Why do you say that? As long as they were under the legal limit and not breaking any other traffic law, then they would not be sent to prison, especially not for having some alcohol in their system. Or am I missing something?
bluescorpion
08-06-2007, 01:14 PM
My father lost his father on his 4th birthday due to a drunk driver. My grandmother actually "went crazy", so my dad and his brother essentially lost both their parents.
I have zero tolerance for people who say they did not know better.
farsscf
08-06-2007, 01:19 PM
Why do you say that? As long as they were under the legal limit and not breaking any other traffic law, then they would not be sent to prison, especially not for having some alcohol in their system. Or am I missing something?
He is saying they pass the filed sobriety test but then hit someone and have their BAC, via breath or blood, established as being over the limit.
bhaputi
08-06-2007, 01:37 PM
He is saying they pass the test but then hit someone and have their BAC established as being over the limit.
Are we talking field sobriety? Or breathalyzer?
I firmly believe driving a car is as much a responsibility, as it is a privilege. Therefore we are all responsible to drive as safe as possible.
LColeman
08-06-2007, 02:04 PM
Any time we go out, and that means dinner and drinks-we take a cab to the resturant. My husband works for the city-that means zero tolerance, and frankly, I enjoy coming home and seeing my kids instead of being dead or in jail.
how much could a cab cost? Whatever it is-worth every penny compared to someones life.
Congrats to your nephew for being quick and getting the guy without causing injury to himself!
SumthinOrNuthin
08-06-2007, 02:08 PM
I knew you'd say no, Steve (I recalled your statement about 1/2 beer :)). But I'm willing to bet you're a minority given the theoretical situation I offered. And while you "find no excuse for it", I must remind you that is legal to have a few drinks and then drive in every state I know of, as long as you're not over the legal limit. But yes, I understand you have zero tolerance.
Well you can just about count me into the minority as well please. When I go out to eat, I'll have one drink with my meal and won't drive until its had 2 hours to work through my system.
There's 2 different kinds of impaired driving. There's the totally ****faced (like the guy in the original post who hit the woman) who get into the 'invincible' mindset when they're very drunk. They believe they can do anything and not create any danger and they won't listen to reason. They usually come to a sticky end in one way or another and unfortunately they sometimes take others out with them.
Then there's the 'social drinker' who firmly believes that 'a few beers' will not register on a breathalyser and that they're perfectly safe to drive because they've always done it. Well, just because they've always done it, and got away with it, doesn't make it right. These people are just an arrogant, reckless, ticking time bomb, and when they get caught, they expect sympathy. I know plenty of people like this and they make my blood boil.
In some countries the only legal blood alcohol limit is zero. I hope they bring that in here because its the only fair way and stops any arguments about one person's alcohol tolerance vs another. A car is a lethal weapon in the wrong hands - you wouldn't want your neighbour coming around to show you and your family their new shotgun when they've just had 'a few beers'.
Here endeth my rant :rolleyes: :)
Nomad
08-06-2007, 02:21 PM
that was a sad story,i commend your nephew for doing a good thing,that took guts..
i used to drink and drive,i must have a guardian angel because i never wrecked, hurt anyone or got caught...i used to,when i was a kid..drink and drive fairly often,in the 80's..it was tightening up then...
nowadays..no freakin way! I had 2 beers while watching a movie at a friends a while back...3 hours or so had passed,I drove and was fine..but man I was nervous!lol.....
the .08 law is a bit strict,but man,I know so many people who have destroyed themselves or someone else from drinking and driving..or just plain drinking...so many...Its in my family too,Im so blessed I never got hooked on it...
one friend of mine had 5 dui's..he will never drive again,he is 40 and lives in his elderly parents basement,still drinking..
another fell out of a pickup on the highway,drunk...he can barely walk or talk now,this was in 85..
another just got his liscense back after his 3rd dui...he still drinks,cant stop,I hope he doesnt drive,but I know he will,again...
I will turn in a drunk now on my cell,no prob,I've got 3 called in..dont know what happened to them..
my old roomie was a 12 pack a night drinker,more on weekends...hes over 320 now and diabetic and cant walk right..still drinks...
my town is full of bars and drunks,i get my groceries early on weekends so I dont see them,they clog the streets...
i still have a beer or 2 every once in a while,but dont enjoy it so much anymore...later
JOHN GARGANI
08-06-2007, 04:51 PM
DB has made a great point here, and I agree with the percentages that he has suggested.....
myself, I drink zero all year, not a drop......but having a few and driving is par for the course, no doubt....
not saying it is a good thing, but it is a regular thing....
I personally love living an alchohol free existence: one less thing to deal with in life....
slushpup2
08-06-2007, 05:34 PM
Nest time you see your nephew, shake his hand for me.
DITTO!!
OHIOSTEVE
08-06-2007, 09:21 PM
I was at a bar once eating lunch with a buddy...A woman came in driving a vette...I knew she was driving a vette because when she came in teh parking lot she locked up her brakes and slid in sideways...The bartender refused to serve her but some barlush was feeding her drinks trying to get into her pants. I told my buddy that someone needed to call the cops as eh was gonn get in the car and drive in that shape. My buddy told me to mind my own business. Well i was right she got in the car and killed someone...herself. She missed a curve and piled the car up in someones front yard killing her instantly.....Big price to pay for some stupidity imo.
misstransformer
08-14-2007, 03:36 PM
My sister in law just called....My nephew was on his way home from work last wednesday and a guy passed him driving like a maniac...swerving and passing cars on the wrong side etc.......when he passed my nephew a lady was jogging and he hit her. My nephew said he hit her so hard her arm was torn off and she flew up in the air and hit the ground dead..The driver took off and my nephew ran him down in his truck and somehow forced him to stop...got him outta his car and made him walk back to the scene of the accident. Guy was drunk and refused the breathalizer.....I will never understand how someone can get behind the wheel drunk. I am 42 ( will be wednesday) and one time in my life I drank a haf a beer and drove 2 blocks THATS IT!!!!!! I don't get the mindset that wants to get drunk and drive. I know a guy that will fight you for his keys if he is drunk..his daughter is the same way and has already had a few wrecks because of it.
I'm really at a loss for words. It's unfortunate this happened, and I hope the woman died instantly, and didn't experience much pain. It's a tragedy she had to die at all. You're right...things like this can be avoided, if others thought more of the people around them. I don't know what else to say. Everyone involved is in my prayers. T
Bando
08-14-2007, 05:07 PM
Next time you see your nephew, shake his hand for me.
And a pat on the back from me, took courage to do what he did.