- Share 1N3
"One in three of us are impacted by drunk driving."
We want to hear your story. Have you or a loved been affected by an impaired driving crash? Email us at projects@iam1N3.org with your story, pictures, media, and anything pertaining to the impaired crash so that we can add your story to our site.
January 11th, 2009: I crashed into the side of another car. The passenger of that vehicle died instantly, the driver had to be revived twice. He was in a coma with significant brain damage but now is the essence of the word miracle; he found his own apartment and is seeking employment. His strength and determination along with his strong faith in God have taught me to never give up.
I was cut out of my vehicle and unable to walk for 2 months. I attempted suicide; I had AA meetings brought to my bedside until I could walk. 3 days before sentencing, I celebrated my 1 year sobriety birthday and received my coin.
On March 25, 2010, I was given a 26 year sentence; 16 years for intoxication manslaughter and 10 for intoxication assault – both carry a deadly weapons charge: my vehicle. This is the first time I’ve been in trouble. My time runs concurrently – meaning I’ll do 16 years of that sentence, eligible for parole after 8 years.
The road to self-forgiveness is difficult. I can’t change my past, but I can change my thinking, my hopes and my actions. I don’t want anyone to experience the devastation all 3 of the families involved in my wreck have. That pain never truly goes away, but I’m grateful for it. It’s a daily reminder of what alcoholism and drug addiction is capable of. It keeps me from giving up on myself and it allows me to become lovable.