Letter: DUI victims' panel drives the crime home

Editor, Leader:

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to listen to the Jefferson County DUI victims' panel, and their stories hit me harder than I expected.

Last month, I was convicted of a drinking-and-driving crime that stemmed from a night of partying to celebrate the weekend. I was pulled over and arrested, then put in jail for nearly 12 hours. That was the worst night of my life. Sitting on the rigid jail cell bed, I did a lot of thinking, and finally realized just how quickly life can throw you a curveball and topple you over.

I need to say thank you to the two mothers who bravely shared their stories with us that day, each having lost a child to a drunk driver. It is because of them that I have the courage to even write these words. If these stories of tragedy and obstacles that seem almost impossible to get through could reach more people convicted of DUI, or those who haven't, I believe that would make a huge difference in the community.

It does not pay to drink and drive, no matter what. I may have gotten the "best" deal out of my situation: negligent driving in the first degree, almost $1,000 in fines, losing my license for three months, an AA class, four court dates and the victims' panel. Does that sound like a good deal? No, but I am thankful for it, because the outcome could have been much, much worse. And not to mention how I feel inside about what I did, and the fact that my seat at the victims' panel could have been empty instead.

I thank the coordinator of this event and the panel of inspiring women. I can only hope and pray that they will continue talking with people and sharing their stories, because they desperately need to be heard.

ANONYMOUS 24-YEAR-OLD

Port Townsend