We have all heard of the tragedy of the car crash on the Taconic State Parkway in New York.
I cannot imagine the pain and loss those families are experiencing.
The victims of the crash include a 36-year-old mother, her son and her three nieces. The other three victims were the occupants of the vehicle she crashed into head on – a father, son and their friend.
But the tragedy just cuts deeper.
The mother was drunk and high.
Her “…blood alcohol level indicated that she had consumed approximately 10 alcoholic beverages”.
She was twice the legal limit.
She also had marijuana in her system.
Hearing this angers me.
Words that start running through my mind are “irresponsible”, “selfish” and “reckless”.
I read articles about how she was a “devoted mother” and none of the neighbors ever saw her drink or smoke.
I’m sorry.
A woman does not up and smoke a bong and drink until she’s twice the legal limit then pile in a van with 5 children and drive the wrong way on the road…out of nowhere.
I won’t believe that.
I won’t believe this was a one-time-out-of-nowhere event.
The families of Guy Bastardi, 49; his father, Michael Bastardi, 81; and a family friend, Daniel Longo, 74, deserve better than that.
They deserve the truth.
They deserve to know about the woman who killed their loved ones.
But from this tragedy can something good come?
Perhaps.
But only if we (you and I) make that good happen.
Make sure you have a designated driver for your party times.
Next time you see somebody get behind the wheel of a car make sure they’re sober.
Be that “party pooper” who takes away the keys.
Be the “bad friend” who tells them their too drunk to drive.
You might save a life.
