MADD event puts spotlight on price of drunken driving
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FAIRBANKS — It’s been more than a quarter-century since a drunken driver broadsided Pat Fox, and she still hasn’t recovered. Sadly, she never will.
But despite debilitating injuries that include brain damage and occasional blindness, Fox didn’t miss an opportunity to speak at a Mothers Against Drunk Driving gathering on Saturday outside Fairbanks. She wants to do everything she can to raise awareness about the widespread problem.
For everyone killed by a drunken driver, she said there are countless family members, friends and injured victims left behind.
“We don’t all die,” she told a crowd of about 25 people at Taste of Alaska Lodge. “Some of us go on living.”
That reminder was one of the themes of “A Time of Sharing, Honoring and Celebrating,” a daylong event to review MADD’s programs, support victims and celebrate progress in the fight against drunken driving.
“It’s important to remember we’re all victims,” said Pete Eagan, the local MADD president. “This is a horrible, violent crime.”
The morning included testimonials from people who have been touched by drunken driving.
Don Leistikow still mourns his younger sister, who was killed by a man driving the wrong direction down an interstate highway in Alabama. Victor Kennedy is in a wheelchair after being rear-ended by a drunken driver near Glennallen.
Asa Dowdy still keeps the mangled remains of the maroon Toyota his daughter Heather died in. He hauls the car to high schools and college campuses as a reminder of the price of drunken driving.
“It’s an honor. It’s a duty. It’s something I can do,” he said.
During a Sunday afternoon drive in Anchorage in 1983, Fox’s Ford Bronco was broadsided by a drunken driver who ran a stoplight at 60 mph. She suffered severe head injuries in the accident, and has struggled to hold a job or maintain relationships ever since.
Fox said the man who crashed into her was never charged, and that she felt like an “outcast” as she tried to adjust to her new life. She supports MADD to give drunken driving victims more support than she received.
“I survived because I’m stubborn as heck, not because anybody helped me,” she said.
The speakers are all regulars on the Victim Impact Panel, a group that gathers each month to speak to first-time drunken driving offenders.
Linda Pearson, who runs the VIP program, said it’s a way to put a human face on the consequences of drunken driving.
“I’m rooting for these guys,” Leistikow said. “It’s a very cheap warning that they better change their lives.”
Eagan said the event was also an opportunity to celebrate progress in the fight against drunken driving.
The event honored law enforcement officials who have worked to fight the crime. Six police officers, along with Eielson Air Force Base’s 354th Security Forces squadron, were recognized. The day ended with a candlelight vigil to remember DUI crash victims.
Brenda Sadler, the MADD Fairbanks special activities coordinator, said she hopes the gathering can grow and evolve, possibly becoming an annual event.
“We’re brainstorming,” Sadler said. “A lot of it is bringing people into the MADD family to assist in some way.”
But despite debilitating injuries that include brain damage and occasional blindness, Fox didn’t miss an opportunity to speak at a Mothers Against Drunk Driving gathering on Saturday outside Fairbanks. She wants to do everything she can to raise awareness about the widespread problem.
For everyone killed by a drunken driver, she said there are countless family members, friends and injured victims left behind.
“We don’t all die,” she told a crowd of about 25 people at Taste of Alaska Lodge. “Some of us go on living.”
That reminder was one of the themes of “A Time of Sharing, Honoring and Celebrating,” a daylong event to review MADD’s programs, support victims and celebrate progress in the fight against drunken driving.
“It’s important to remember we’re all victims,” said Pete Eagan, the local MADD president. “This is a horrible, violent crime.”
The morning included testimonials from people who have been touched by drunken driving.
Don Leistikow still mourns his younger sister, who was killed by a man driving the wrong direction down an interstate highway in Alabama. Victor Kennedy is in a wheelchair after being rear-ended by a drunken driver near Glennallen.
Asa Dowdy still keeps the mangled remains of the maroon Toyota his daughter Heather died in. He hauls the car to high schools and college campuses as a reminder of the price of drunken driving.
“It’s an honor. It’s a duty. It’s something I can do,” he said.
During a Sunday afternoon drive in Anchorage in 1983, Fox’s Ford Bronco was broadsided by a drunken driver who ran a stoplight at 60 mph. She suffered severe head injuries in the accident, and has struggled to hold a job or maintain relationships ever since.
Fox said the man who crashed into her was never charged, and that she felt like an “outcast” as she tried to adjust to her new life. She supports MADD to give drunken driving victims more support than she received.
“I survived because I’m stubborn as heck, not because anybody helped me,” she said.
The speakers are all regulars on the Victim Impact Panel, a group that gathers each month to speak to first-time drunken driving offenders.
Linda Pearson, who runs the VIP program, said it’s a way to put a human face on the consequences of drunken driving.
“I’m rooting for these guys,” Leistikow said. “It’s a very cheap warning that they better change their lives.”
Eagan said the event was also an opportunity to celebrate progress in the fight against drunken driving.
The event honored law enforcement officials who have worked to fight the crime. Six police officers, along with Eielson Air Force Base’s 354th Security Forces squadron, were recognized. The day ended with a candlelight vigil to remember DUI crash victims.
Brenda Sadler, the MADD Fairbanks special activities coordinator, said she hopes the gathering can grow and evolve, possibly becoming an annual event.
“We’re brainstorming,” Sadler said. “A lot of it is bringing people into the MADD family to assist in some way.”
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comments (2)
« RichardHead wrote on Sunday, Nov 08 at 12:19 PM »
Very well said Notsocommon!
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« Notsocommon wrote on Sunday, Nov 08 at 10:33 AM »
Thank you MADD for all your efforts. Thank you Mrs. Sadler for your hard work bringing this event to our community. AND THANK YOU THANK YOU LEO's who put their lives on the line to save the rest of us motoring public. Let's not forget the families of the officers who stress every night when the wives and husbands walk out the door. My hat goes off to all of you.
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