A lady I know had commited DUI manslaughter Friday night. I had left hours before she initially did, and I heard about it the next day. She ran a major intersection here in Tampa, and managed to strike a mister James Dean at 60mph while on his motorcycle. He was DOA. She was arressted for the above charge. He was a husband, and a father to 4. She takes care of her mom, and raises a son as a single parent.

What's killing me, is I always had a crush on this gal, she's very attractive, extremely nice, and KNOWS her limits. I've seen her ride home with friends, and still not be stumbling drunk or whatever. I've seen her simply leave her car behind in the past. Well, it didn't happen this time, and now the lives of two families are destroyed.

That Friday night, she gave me a kiss on the cheek as a greeting, something brand new between us, and I like it! I was contemplating the entire night what would be the best way to ask her out. I ended up hanging with a different gal I know, but all I could think about was the nice kiss I got.

If I had eggs like a man should have, I would have asked her out. Probably taken her to IHop or dennys that night, most likely. And because I didn't, someone is now husbandless.. fatherless.. and in prison for a long long time.

These are the moments where "If I only knew then" eats away at your soul. My prayers goes out to my friend, and to the Dean family. Why do horrible things happen to good people?

To our younger readers... YES, this is what happens when people drink and drive. If you see someone is unsafe to drive, by all means, SPEAK UP AND SAY SOMETHING! You may save lives.

:( Really sorry too hear about this ... One of those events that will change MANY lives around both of them!
:hugs:

Joey - I am so sorry to hear this news. But by NO means should you put this on yourself!!!

Prayers and Pixie Dust go out to both families, and to you as well.

:pixiedust: :pray:

I've seen this a few times, and even been the one to have to break the catastrophic news. I will never forget the look in the wife/mothers eyes when she opened the door to find me on her doorstep (silently praying that I will not speak the words that will forever change her family's lives)

It never gets easier to hear about, and this will never stop being a problem in our society.

Thank You Ranch for sharing this. Prayers and Pixie dust to both families and you!

:pixiedust: :pray:

:hugs: Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry Joey. Please don't feel like you could have done anything to stop this from happening. (Easier said than done I know.) This will change many peoples lives, but like Howze said, thank you for sharing the heart-breaking story. If by telling it, it helps just one more person than you have done a wonderful thing.

Thanks all. We weren't close close friends, but enough for me to still feel sorrow over it all. And my bad to Howze, I didn't mean to bring about flashbacks of other crappy similiar situations. But I admit, I was hoping to read your response.

Here's to making right choices in life.

:grouphug:
That is exactly right!!

Thanks for making us think!!!