Drinking and driving....

[psuro]

...I am posting this for no other reason than it's cathartic to me to get this off my chest.

An acquaintance (not really a friend, just a guy I would see at my local watering hole from time to time), was arrested last week and charged with two counts of homicide. In January, he left the bar after "a couple of beers" and drove his high end German sedan home - at a high rate of speed. For those familiar with New Jersey, we have jughandles - aka, stay right to turn left.

He tried to make the turn at the jughandle, lost control, jumped the curb, and smashed into a minivan, pushing the van and it's occupants into a small waterbody. The two people in the van drowned.

He was physically fine, although shaken up. Subsequent investigations indicated his "couple of beers" were actually eight beers, based on interviews with the bar. Police estimate that he was going over 90 MPH - all while trying to navigate a turn.

His toxicology reports came back last week, and based on that, he was arrested and charged with homicide, and a couple of other offenses.

His wife, a doctor, has filed for divorce. And she is pregnant with their first child. His company fired him (he was in IT). His parents/family don't have the means to help him out. So, he has nothing. He is in jail, and based on what some local police told me, it does not look like he will be able to afford a high priced lawyer, and will have to settle for a public defender. He has told the police he wants to end his life rather than spend time in jail.

He is 29 years old.

He has ruined two families, and possibly more extended families, by his irresponsible, now considered criminal, act. And he may spend the better part of the next 20 years in jail.

I don't understand people nowadays, with all we know about drinking and driving, why people still do it. One Uber call and the couple in the minivan would be around today, and he would still be a husband, soon to be father.

I just don't get it.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

...I am posting this for no other reason than it's cathartic to me to get this off my chest.

An acquaintance (not really a friend, just a guy I would see at my local watering hole from time to time), was arrested last week and charged with two counts of homicide. In January, he left the bar after "a couple of beers" and drove his high end German sedan home - at a high rate of speed. For those familiar with New Jersey, we have jughandles - aka, stay right to turn left.

He tried to make the turn at the jughandle, lost control, jumped the curb, and smashed into a minivan, pushing the van and it's occupants into a small waterbody. The two people in the van drowned.

He was physically fine, although shaken up. Subsequent investigations indicated his "couple of beers" were actually eight beers, based on interviews with the bar. Police estimate that he was going over 90 MPH - all while trying to navigate a turn.

His toxicology reports came back last week, and based on that, he was arrested and charged with homicide, and a couple of other offenses.

His wife, a doctor, has filed for divorce. And she is pregnant with their first child. His company fired him (he was in IT). His parents/family don't have the means to help him out. So, he has nothing. He is in jail, and based on what some local police told me, it does not look like he will be able to afford a high priced lawyer, and will have to settle for a public defender. He has told the police he wants to end his life rather than spend time in jail.

He is 29 years old.

He has ruined two families, and possibly more extended families, by his irresponsible, now considered criminal, act. And he may spend the better part of the next 20 years in jail.

I don't understand people nowadays, with all we know about drinking and driving, why people still do it. One Uber call and the couple in the minivan would be around today, and he would still be a husband, soon to be father.

I just don't get it.

Man, that is awful.

As an aside, I can't decide if the jughandles in NJ are genius or sadistic...

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

Terrible story. I feel bad obviously for the people who lost their lives. Your acquaintance is buried for all time - but when he gets out, he has a shot to rebuild, unlike two other people.

Just don't do it. And that is a reminder to all of us leaving the Stadium after a full day of frivolity. Just don't do it.

 

[Grant Green]

Damn, sucks on all accounts. Yeah, I don't get it either. I have a pretty decent tolerance, but if I had 8 beers, I would be pretty flagged and in no shape to drive. If I have a few beers, I drive home like a freaking grandma. No way I'm breaking the speed limit and taking any risk.

My guess is that this guy has done this kind of thing enough that it seemed like it wasn't a big deal. Play those odds enough and you are going to lose.

 

[jreacher1]

...I am posting this for no other reason than it's cathartic to me to get this off my chest.

An acquaintance (not really a friend, just a guy I would see at my local watering hole from time to time), was arrested last week and charged with two counts of homicide. In January, he left the bar after "a couple of beers" and drove his high end German sedan home - at a high rate of speed. For those familiar with New Jersey, we have jughandles - aka, stay right to turn left.

He tried to make the turn at the jughandle, lost control, jumped the curb, and smashed into a minivan, pushing the van and it's occupants into a small waterbody. The two people in the van drowned.

He was physically fine, although shaken up. Subsequent investigations indicated his "couple of beers" were actually eight beers, based on interviews with the bar. Police estimate that he was going over 90 MPH - all while trying to navigate a turn.

His toxicology reports came back last week, and based on that, he was arrested and charged with homicide, and a couple of other offenses.

His wife, a doctor, has filed for divorce. And she is pregnant with their first child. His company fired him (he was in IT). His parents/family don't have the means to help him out. So, he has nothing. He is in jail, and based on what some local police told me, it does not look like he will be able to afford a high priced lawyer, and will have to settle for a public defender. He has told the police he wants to end his life rather than spend time in jail.

He is 29 years old.

He has ruined two families, and possibly more extended families, by his irresponsible, now considered criminal, act. And he may spend the better part of the next 20 years in jail.

I don't understand people nowadays, with all we know about drinking and driving, why people still do it. One Uber call and the couple in the minivan would be around today, and he would still be a husband, soon to be father.

I just don't get it.

Drunk pedestrians cause more accidents than drunk drivers.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

Drunk pedestrians cause more accidents than drunk drivers.

That is true. However drunk pedestrians are in no position to take anybody else with them.

 

[LionJim]

I've been there three or four times myself, three or four times too many, and, without going into unnecessary details as to why I know this to be true, will never be doing it again. I'm ashamed of those three or four times.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

I've been there three or four times myself, three or four times too many, and, without going into unnecessary details as to why I know this to be true, will never be doing it again. I'm ashamed of those three or four times.

You and me both, and a whole raft of others. At this point I have learned to confine my gambling to the horses.

 

[Grant Green]

Drunk pedestrians cause more accidents than drunk drivers.

I don't understand the point of this post.

 

[Obliviax]

An acquaintance of mine had a harrowing experience last week. Perhaps he'll chime in. DOA in front of his home and apparently drinking and a very high rate of speed. He was one of the first on the scene and couldn't sleep after viewing the body.

it is so easy these days with Uber and Lyft. No need to drive after having a few pops.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

And, as in this sad case, it seems like the drunken driver escapes serious injury or death so much more often than the innocent parties that are involved in these cases.

 

[anon_1eeb2b426hv3y]

Man, that is awful.

As an aside, I can't decide if the jughandles in NJ are genius or sadistic...

This is an awful (and just too common) story.

And re jughandles, they’re both—mostly because they’re not common enough for many out-of-state drivers to plan ahead to use them. But they sure are a great solution to help keep traffic moving when folks stop to take a left— especially since far too many folks don’t use turn signals until after they’ve stopped and backed up loads of cars.

Jug handles solve one of my greatest driving pet-peeves—at least when I’m in NJ. But to ro’s story, it’s awful. So sad.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

I don't understand the point of this post.

If there is something at all statistically worse or comparable to whatever is being talked about, it must be mentioned. Because only one thing that is bad can exist.

 

[step.eng69]

You and me both, and a whole raft of others. At this point I have learned to confine my gambling to the horses.

I'd like to jump on that raft also.....but I'm seeing two? Just joking, I look back and become very upset thinking how lucky i was not injuring anyone.

 

[Bob78]

...I am posting this for no other reason than it's cathartic to me to get this off my chest.

An acquaintance (not really a friend, just a guy I would see at my local watering hole from time to time), was arrested last week and charged with two counts of homicide. In January, he left the bar after "a couple of beers" and drove his high end German sedan home - at a high rate of speed. For those familiar with New Jersey, we have jughandles - aka, stay right to turn left.

He tried to make the turn at the jughandle, lost control, jumped the curb, and smashed into a minivan, pushing the van and it's occupants into a small waterbody. The two people in the van drowned.

He was physically fine, although shaken up. Subsequent investigations indicated his "couple of beers" were actually eight beers, based on interviews with the bar. Police estimate that he was going over 90 MPH - all while trying to navigate a turn.

His toxicology reports came back last week, and based on that, he was arrested and charged with homicide, and a couple of other offenses.

His wife, a doctor, has filed for divorce. And she is pregnant with their first child. His company fired him (he was in IT). His parents/family don't have the means to help him out. So, he has nothing. He is in jail, and based on what some local police told me, it does not look like he will be able to afford a high priced lawyer, and will have to settle for a public defender. He has told the police he wants to end his life rather than spend time in jail.

He is 29 years old.

He has ruined two families, and possibly more extended families, by his irresponsible, now considered criminal, act. And he may spend the better part of the next 20 years in jail.

I don't understand people nowadays, with all we know about drinking and driving, why people still do it. One Uber call and the couple in the minivan would be around today, and he would still be a husband, soon to be father.

I just don't get it.

Ro, thanks for sharing that story, terrible as it is. While I believe I would not put myself in such a position, I certainly did so more than once while in college way way back in the day. Thankfully and luckily, nothing happened... not even a dented fender. Still, it is always a help to be reminded of what could happen if we lose our sense of judgement even for one moment.

And we all need to be smart enough and courageous enough to stop others from doing something potentially dangerous and wrong when their judgement lapses. These cautionary tales help put our subconscious front and center when these moments arise.

 

[Obliviax]

Ro, thanks for sharing that story, terrible as it is. While I believe I would not put myself in such a position, I certainly did so more than once while in college way way back in the day. Thankfully and luckily, nothing happened... not even a dented fender. Still, it is always a help to be reminded of what could happen if we lose our sense of judgement even for one moment.

And we all need to be smart enough and courageous enough to stop others from doing something potentially dangerous and wrong when their judgement lapses. These cautionary tales help put our subconscious front and center when these moments arise.

Another good post.

Interestingly, my wife has a case where two people (lesbian couple) got into a fight when one wanted the car keys when she was drunk. A wrestling match ensued. The drunk one called 911 and claimed domestic violence. The other, when the cops showed up, tried to explain but the cop grabber her arm as she was walking backwards. She slapped the cop's hand away. Two cops tackled her, tased her and arrested her for resisting, assault on a police officer and resisting arrest. I simply no longer know what society wants us to do sometimes.

 

[GOD the almighty Creator]

...I am posting this for no other reason than it's cathartic to me to get this off my chest.

An acquaintance (not really a friend, just a guy I would see at my local watering hole from time to time), was arrested last week and charged with two counts of homicide. In January, he left the bar after "a couple of beers" and drove his high end German sedan home - at a high rate of speed. For those familiar with New Jersey, we have jughandles - aka, stay right to turn left.

He tried to make the turn at the jughandle, lost control, jumped the curb, and smashed into a minivan, pushing the van and it's occupants into a small waterbody. The two people in the van drowned.

He was physically fine, although shaken up. Subsequent investigations indicated his "couple of beers" were actually eight beers, based on interviews with the bar. Police estimate that he was going over 90 MPH - all while trying to navigate a turn.

His toxicology reports came back last week, and based on that, he was arrested and charged with homicide, and a couple of other offenses.

His wife, a doctor, has filed for divorce. And she is pregnant with their first child. His company fired him (he was in IT). His parents/family don't have the means to help him out. So, he has nothing. He is in jail, and based on what some local police told me, it does not look like he will be able to afford a high priced lawyer, and will have to settle for a public defender. He has told the police he wants to end his life rather than spend time in jail.

He is 29 years old.

He has ruined two families, and possibly more extended families, by his irresponsible, now considered criminal, act. And he may spend the better part of the next 20 years in jail.

I don't understand people nowadays, with all we know about drinking and driving, why people still do it. One Uber call and the couple in the minivan would be around today, and he would still be a husband, soon to be father.

I just don't get it.

Dude, I go out every weekend and can not believe the amount of alcohol consumption I see by the youth in this Country - every weekend. I'm baffled.

Also, with GOOGLE, YouTube etc, I can not wrap my head around how people STILL drink and drive; smoke cigarettes, etc. It's like they have no access to the real world.

I just don't get it. I have become a pessimist. HUMANITY IS DOOMED.

 

[demlion]

Ro, thanks for sharing that story, terrible as it is. While I believe I would not put myself in such a position, I certainly did so more than once while in college way way back in the day. Thankfully and luckily, nothing happened... not even a dented fender. Still, it is always a help to be reminded of what could happen if we lose our sense of judgement even for one moment.

And we all need to be smart enough and courageous enough to stop others from doing something potentially dangerous and wrong when their judgement lapses. These cautionary tales help put our subconscious front and center when these moments arise.

There but for the grace of luck or God or whatever you call it, go many of us. I have always suspected that living out in the country has protected me from this and other horrible outcomes which I did nothing to prevent.

Don't do it at all any more. If I drink, somebody else drives. Pretty sure I used up all my luck.

 

[MJG-90]

How expensive is it to install ignition interlocks on cars? Why are those only installed on cars for DUI offenders? I would appreciate having one in my car where, even if it doesn't lock my ignition, at least tells me that I'm legally sober to drive. I always stick to beers under 6% ABV, no more than one per hour and never more than four in an evening even if I'm out more than four hours.

According to this chart, at my weight (180 pounds), four drinks puts me at 0.08 -- the legal limit in PA. However, I take off 0.01 for each 40 minutes. Over four hours, that means I drop 0.06 meaning my BAC should be at 0.02 (or less) when I'm ready to head home.

I follow these rules religiously, but would still like something more official to tell me I'm safe to drive.

http://www.brad21.org/bac_charts.html

 

[phillybillyreprise]

Sympathies to the victims’ families, his wife and child. It’s a tough road ahead for him.
Back in the day, I did too much drunk driving. In ‘82 I had to give up alcohol for health reasons. It’s probably one of the best things to ever happen for me. Now I am the designated driver into perpetuity.

 

[PeetzPoolBoy]

Another good post.

Interestingly, my wife has a case where two people (lesbian couple) got into a fight when one wanted the car keys when she was drunk. A wrestling match ensued. The drunk one called 911 and claimed domestic violence. The other, when the cops showed up, tried to explain but the cop grabber her arm as she was walking backwards. She slapped the cop's hand away. Two cops tackled her, tased her and arrested her for resisting, assault on a police officer and resisting arrest. I simply no longer know what society wants us to do sometimes.

I just have to ask. Did the police allow the drunk one to drive home?

 

[Obliviax]

I just have to ask. Did the police allow the drunk one to drive home?

They were at home when the incident happened.

 

[PeetzPoolBoy]

How expensive is it to install ignition interlocks on cars? Why are those only installed on cars for DUI offenders? I would appreciate having one in my car where, even if it doesn't lock my ignition, at least tells me that I'm legally sober to drive

http://www.brad21.org/bac_charts.html

Why should "greater society" (aka "The Majority") need to suffer under yet another government-mandated inconvenience caused by individuals (aka "The Minority") who happen to purposely choose "negative, life-altering decisions"?

 

[OhioLion]

Now I am the designated driver

The last 8-10 years this has been my role as well. Everyone knows the "old man" only has 2 beers a night if that. I'm hitting the Diet Dr. Peppers pretty hard though.
Happy to let my fellow coaches enjoy the night knowing I'll get them home safely.

OL

 

[heckmans]

Why should "greater society" (aka "The Majority") need to suffer under government-mandated inconveniences caused by individuals (aka "The Minority") who happen to purposely choose "negative, life-altering decisions"?

Yes!! I can think of a few other topical arguments today that this same question applies to.

 

[MJG-90]

Why should "greater society" (aka "The Majority") need to suffer under government-mandated inconveniences caused by individuals (aka "The Minority") who happen to purposely choose "negative, life-altering decisions"?

I didn't mean to suggest they should be mandatory. I meant as an option. As mentioned, I wouldn't mind having something hooked up to my car that gives me a reading after I've had a few. Just wondered what that cost would be.

 

[PeetzPoolBoy]

His wife, a doctor, has filed for divorce. And she is pregnant with their first child. His company fired him (he was in IT).

Thanks for sharing your rather sobering reminder about the hazards of drinking in excess and then driving.

I purposely selected and bolded a certain sentence from your informative post. Where there any "pre-existing conditions" either maritally or professionally that would have influenced said person to over-imbibe?

 

[PeetzPoolBoy]

Yes!! I can think of a few other topical arguments today that this same question applies to.

Pray tell.

 

[psuro]

Thanks for sharing your rather sobering reminder about the hazards of drinking in excess and then driving.

I purposely selected and bolded a certain sentence from your informative post. Where there any "pre-existing conditions" either maritally or professionally that would have influenced said person to over-imbibe?

Honestly, he was in the bar 3 or 4 nights a week. His wife had evening office hours - which would go to about 9, and then would drive 45 minutes home. So, he was by himself a lot. And the bar is within 5 miles of his house. So, the drinking would be out of boredom, and lack of companionship I would assume.

 

[ivan brunetti]

I think it is important to note that it wasn't just drinking and driving that caused this to happen. It was also SPEEDING. Even if this guy was sober, there is a solid chance he would have caused an accident just due to his speed. Excessive speed for the circumstance (congestion, night, rain, black ice, etc) is a factor in about half of collisions. Slow the F down.

 

[meanmiJ01]

I didn't mean to suggest they should be mandatory. I meant as an option. As mentioned, I wouldn't mind having something hooked up to my car that gives me a reading after I've had a few. Just wondered what that cost would be.

I guess if you have an ad blocker on you can't see it but a breathalyzer is basically $100.

Amazon product ASIN B0026IBZSK

 

[Cletus11]

Too a lesser extent, texting and driving. I try to limit that to only at street lights when it is red, not ever while actually driving in traffic. Maybe if I am on the highway and there are not cars around at all then I will sneak a look.

 

[psuro]

Too a lesser extent, texting and driving. I try to limit that to only at street lights when it is red, not ever while actually driving in traffic. Maybe if I am on the highway and there are not cars around at all then I will sneak a look.

Siri on my iphone will read texts to me. And will send them based on my verbal command and comment.

 

[Cletus11]

I think it is important to note that it wasn't just drinking and driving that caused this to happen. It was also SPEEDING. Even if this guy was sober, there is a solid chance he would have caused an accident just due to his speed. Excessive speed for the circumstance (congestion, night, rain, black ice, etc) is a factor in about half of collisions. Slow the F down.

Good point. Root cause of the accident was going 90 mph in a traffic circle, whether drunk or sober that is not going to work. Now the reason for the speeding/reckless driving was impaired judgement from being drunk.

 

[ivan brunetti]

Good point. Root cause of the accident was going 90 mph in a traffic circle, whether drunk or sober that is not going to work. Now the reason for the speeding/reckless driving was impaired judgement from being drunk.

Well, sort of. Lots of drunks drive under the speed limit. Still dangerous, but a hell of a lot less than some goofball doing 90 mph.

 

[MJG-90]

I guess if you have an ad blocker on you can't see it but a breathalyzer is basically $100.

Right, but that's not the same thing. I don't think those are very reliable long term. I assume the devices installed in cars get calibrated occasionally and would be reliable. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[PeetzPoolBoy]

Well, sort of. Lots of drunks drive under the speed limit. Still dangerous, but a hell of a lot less than some goofball doing 90 mph.

That poor car

 

[CF LION]

Man, that is awful.

As an aside, I can't decide if the jughandles in NJ are genius or sadistic...

The lady I am seeing lives in central NJ so I have gotten very used to both jughandles and traffic circles. Love em both. They keep the traffic flowing.

A few traffic circles have been constructed in Delaware that are on my commute to work. I'm always amazed how some people here can't figure them out. Had one person stop in the circle to let another car enter once, almost causing me to rear-end them.

 

[psugisher]

Definitely a societal and cultural problem that is not going away despite any number of horror stories. My good friend rarely drank but one night got blacked out drunk, drove him and his friends and had a horrible accident killing one of his best friends. He was very young, like 19-20 at the time. The parents of the victim spoke up for him in court. He did his time in jail, his volunteer work and is very involved in the community. Still too many of us drive after a few pops because we feel we're invincible or we're good drunk drivers.. I'm no saint and neither are my friends and I feel like were fairly responsible compared to others. I'm definitely more careful than I was when I was younger but some nights that beer influences decisions. I appreciate the stories and the level headed guys out there. It is good to discuss.

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

First and foremost, condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. But thoughts and prayers also to your acquaintance. It’s easy to look past his illness, which not only caused the accident, but also apparently drove a wedge between him and his wife (sounds like maybe their split was a long time coming). Alcoholism (or drinking out of boredom) is a terrible disease that was already killing him prior to the accident.

Yes, mourning his victims should be prioritized, but his is also a sad story that (while maybe unpopular) deserves sympathy as well.