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"To All Those Who Drive Drunk"

Our guest writer this week is Anthony Marino. Anthony was motivated to write this letter after reading the sad story of Nick Adenhart - the California Angels pitcher killed in an auto accident, apparently by a drunk driver with a suspended license..

Anthony's letter goes out to all those who have taken the wheel after a night of drinking. The message is simple - just think twice before you get behind the wheel. It is a no-win situation for everyone.

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This letter is for those who drink and drive…

As I heard the news about Nick Adenhart, the Angels pitcher that was killed by a drunk driver earlier this week, I could not help but feel saddened for the loss his family had experienced. Before hearing this story I did not know who Nick Adenhart was, I don’t follow baseball as closely as I have in the past. But this is not about baseball – that is just a sport that is bringing attention to this tragic loss, similar to those that take place in our country every day.

The guy that was driving the car is named Andrew Gallo. Although he had a suspended license from a prior DWI he felt that it was OK to get behind the wheel of a car. He smashed into the car after running a red light, and then fled the scene on foot. Also in the car with Nick Adenhart were Henry Pearson and Courtney Stewart. Both were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. These are three deaths that did not have to happen, because one individual chose to make a mistake and endanger those around him.

I drove drunk once in my life. Some people have said it is “just once”, but for me that was just one time too many. It happened about 6 years ago, and it was one of the scariest experiences of my life. I wasn’t involved in an accident, and no one was hurt. But I will always remember the way I felt when I got home, and how awful and embarrassed I felt the next day. I made the decision on my own, and put the safety of so many people in danger.

As I first heard the story of Andrew Gallo I was very upset that someone would make this choice and do such a thing. But then I realized that I had made that same choice in the past, as I imagine you have as well. On that day 6 years ago I was no different than Andrew Gallo. And you may be no different than him the next time you go to a party, happy hour, or get together with friends. But if you really thought about the consequences, would you ever get behind the wheel after drinking?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost 13,000 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2007. That is far too many senseless deaths that can be prevented each year. I invite you to join me in signing the pledge to eliminate drunk driving with Mothers Against Drunk Driving. It is quick and easy, and I hope you will join me in making the pledge.

I hope that you will remember this letter the next time that you think about drinking and driving.

Sincerely,

Anthony Marino

If you would like to comment on this letter, Anthony can be reached at anthony.marino@cancer.org (please include your name and town).

To see Responses, Results and Reactions to this letter, click here (no responses yet)..