Drinking and Driving

Most of us already know that they don't mix. But here's another reminder for those of you that are under the legal drinking age.

This could have been you:



(license plates blurred to protect the identity of those involved)

Sunday morning my sister-in-law was leaving for her return trip home after a short visit. Her life and those in the other car were nearly cut short by the poor choices of the teenagers involved. I don't know their names or much care. I'm sure they'll face enough punishment in the coming days and months that my adding spiteful words won't help them or their families. So I'll just hope they've learned their lesson and strive to do better going forward.



Instead I would like to heap immense praise on those public servants that responded to the accident. Within 2-4 minutes, the first County Sheriff's Officer arrived followed closely by a fire engine. Another Sheriff's Officer and State Trooper arrived shortly thereafter. Together, they not only helped those involved in the accident, but they also took the time to educate myself and my children in the work they do.



My biggest regret is not getting the names of all parties, but King George County Sheriff's Officer J. E. Davis, his counterpart in Car #12, the Virginia State Trooper, and those staffing King George County Fire Engine #11 were great. An extra special thanks to the firefighter who opened the doors and bays of the engine to show my two year-old son and five year-old daughter the tools they use. I never expected an accident to happen in front of my house let alone explain the basics of drinking and driving to a five year-old. But I now feel comfortable that if something were to happen to myself or my loved ones, we would be taken care of.



And again to those teenagers involved, I hope someday you realize how close you came to something worse than scrapes and bruises and never try to get away with anything like that again.