Only 18 months in jail for a child's life!
By superchook
@superchook (1786)
Australia
March 17, 2007 5:48am CST
A few years ago my brother had a friend that was coming home from work, he was speeding along in his car because he wanted to get home quick. He was going to turn a corner at a set of lights but at the last second he changed his mind and went straight ahead through a red light from the turning lane. He hit another car that had a family in it. There was a 9 year old girl in the car that actually had a heart attack because of the accident and died on the way to the hospital.
This guy was trying to stay out of jail over this and got his wife pregnant (with twins). He did this hoping that if he had another child on the way, they wouldn't lock him up. He did end up going to jail, but only for 18 months. I personally don't think this was long enough, this child has lost the rest of her life and her family had to get on with the rest of their lives without her, but he only got 18 months. He never apologised or expressed any remorse.
My brother and his friends thinks it is not fair that he had to go to jail, they think that it was an accident and that he shouldn't have been punished for it. Even though he was driving over the speed limit and ran a red light, just so he could get home quicker. I don't understand how they can feel sorry for him.
This guy is out of jail now and is driving on the roads again. He drinks and drives and reguarly does drugs. He obviously hasn't learnt his lesson from what has happened.
I really feel sorry for the family that lost their daughter. You never get over losing a child and to lose a child because of someone else driving dangerous, it really must make it harder for them. This is not just a death of dangerous driving but it's manslaughter.
Do you think he should have got more time in jail?
3 people like this
8 responses
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
24 Mar 07
Not only do I think he should have spent more time in jail, I think you should find a way to set him up so he gets arrested for what he's doing now. Have you tried calling the police and letting them know about this guy? He needs to be locked up and his license taken away for good. What a monster!
And, your brother and his friends aren't much better since they don't see anything wrong either. Maybe they all need a few months or more in jail to let them know this isn't acceptable behavior. If he were my brother, I'd kick his butt. Of course, my brother is a responsible adult but I can't imagine having to deal with a brother who has such little regard for human life.
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
24 Mar 07
Very well said about my brother and his friends. I can't understand how they can think like that either. I am glad that you have a responsible brother. My brother has two daughters and he is very unresponsible. He is older than me, but I feel like I am older than him.
I have rang the police about this guy and have reported him directly to patroling police when I have seen him driving, but they keep saying there is nothing they can do unless they see it for themselves or catch him in the act of drink driving. I think this is disgusting, I think they should have taken his liscence off him for good and they should have treated him as a murderer and locked him up like they would a murderer. Thanks!
1 person likes this
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
24 Mar 07
That was meant to be irresponsible, not unresponsible. Sorry!
1 person likes this
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
25 Mar 07
We all make mistakes spelling. At least you are aware enough to actually correct it. I'm the same way. Thanks for taking the time to answer my response.
1 person likes this
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
20 Mar 07
Yes, I do believe that he should have had more jail time. I'm sure the same thing would have happened here in the US too. They would have called it vehicular manslaughter or something crazy and given a light sentence. I don't define an 'accident' the way other people do apparently. 'Accident' to me, means something happens that you couldn't control. To run a red light is not an accident, it is a conscious choice, as is speeding. What really irks me about the whole situation that you describe is the fact that despite killing another human being with his 'accident' he still hasn't changed his ways!! That says a lot about this guy's character. (or lack thereof)
2 people like this
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
17 Mar 07
Yea I think he should have gotten more time without a doubt...mainly because it WASNT an accident IMO....He was driving recklessly ON PURPOSE because he was in a rush....If he'd been driving PROPERLY and this had happened that'd be a different story but the fact is he wasnt....
2 people like this
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
18 Mar 07
I agree with you, it definetely wasn't an accident, he chose to drive the way he did. If he was driving sensibly it may not have happened. Thanks!
1 person likes this
@carlaabt (3504)
• United States
18 Mar 07
That's horrible. He should definitely have spent longer in jail. No offense, but your brother and his friends are all idiots. How would they feel if someone killed their child for basically no reason? Running a red light is dumb in and of itself. But to not even check to see if there are other cars around is really stupid. I think he should be spending a LONG time in jail for killing that poor little girl.
2 people like this
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
18 Mar 07
I agree, my brother and his friends are idiots. Like I have told my brother so many times, I asked him if it was one of his daughters, how would he feel? He usually replies that he would kill the guy. So I don't understand why he thinks this is any different. It might be his friend who has done it, but his friend did something really stupid and should be punished for it and it should have been for a long time, not only 18 months. Thanks!
1 person likes this
@Gabrielle1609 (278)
• Singapore
18 Mar 07
more time in jail should definitely be awarded to this guy...
2 people like this
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
31 Jul 07
It is sad, I feel sorry for the family and the little girl that lost her life. Then the man that caused the accident seemed to just get away with it. Thanks!
@wildmanoz (27)
• Australia
24 Mar 07
That is just sick, he should have been locked up for a lot longer. People just get away with so much these days. I feel very sorry for that family that lost their daughter, it must have been even harder on them when he didn't get much time for it. Your brother needs to look at what that family and see what they are going through. The guy might have been his friend but that doesn't mean he is in the right. I can't imagine how they can feel sorry for him.
1 person likes this
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
24 Mar 07
Yes, I would agree with you, he should have been locked up for a lot longer. I agree, if only my brother could see what that family went through, then maybe he would be able to see what his friend has done to them. My brother is very irresponsible. Thanks!
1 person likes this
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
31 Jul 07
Sorry I hadn't gotten back to you earlier, I have somehow missed your response. I agree he should have been given more jail time. Thanks!
