But his parents and his passenger-"friend" said the accused wasn't at fault.
Some accidents involve substance abuse. Some just involve stupidity, recklessness, selfishness, greed and arrogance.
We may never know if the wreck on I-85 in Atlanta that killed a handful of innocents Monday night involved substance abuse; the suspect who allegedly caused it wasn't nabbed before he left the scene.
But at the very least, it's likely the tragedy stemmed from an all-too-common arrogance and stupidity and recklessness that flows from a belief that, hey, because this is a free country, I can drive however I want.
A popular cable channel used to brag that this is "your South." Well, some folks don't need to be reminded of that fact; they already think it is their South. And they darn well drive that way.
You've seen the kind: They obey no man's speed limit, and they dodge in and out of crowded highway lanes like pinballs, with no regard for anyone's safety, not even their own.
We don't know if this suspect did that. But that's reportedly what witnesses say they saw on I-85 North in Atlanta Monday night, when a red Honda Accord caused an SUV to overturn, killing the chauffeur driver, a woman and her infant son, and the woman's 14-year-old brother. Their father was also critically injured.
Their mother, less seriously injured, now is coping with the deaths of her two children and her 13-month-old grandson, and the injuries to her husband that were severe enough that the family wondered late this week exactly how many loved ones they'd be burying.
The suspect's attorney promises full vindication, saying the man had no idea he'd been in a wreck. Of course, that might cause you to wonder why the driver took a powder after the car in question was ditched for the night at a nearby hotel.
Regardless of who caused the wreck, whoever it is can't possibly be put in prison long enough. Because of that driver, three young family members and a chauffeur company owner had their lives suddenly and permanently interrupted.
They leave behind countless loved ones and friends, and uncharted and unknowable and unlivable futures.
All because some empty-headed, self-absorbed anarchist couldn't wait just a few extra seconds to get where he was going.
One supposes there's no way to root all the thoughtless simpletons out of the driving public. But let's at least bring driver's education back to the schools. Driving is one of the most dangerous things most of us will ever do in our lives. How can we act as if such a lifelong skill can be absorbed through osmosis?
While we're at it, let's bring back notions of individual responsibility to the schools. Word apparently isn't getting out that just about everything you do, even in a "free" country, has repercussions for those around you.
Especially while sitting in a hunk of metal that's careening down a road at high speeds.
You shouldn't be able to walk out of elementary school without that bit of information jammed deep in your head.
Comments
But his parents and his passenger-"friend" said the accused wasn't at fault.
AC, it seems you are making a condemnation without all the facts. I don't believe a prudent person would go there.
It is a tragedy of the highest order that all these folks were killed and several families have been destroyed but Chronicle let's wait until all the information is in. Sometimes things are just not what they seem at first glance; let the officers and CSI's do their job before blame is fixed.
I have them pass me like I am standing still headed to Colubia County in River Watch every day. Still wonder what is so urgent in CC?
I will not address this incident, since, as one person out it, all the facts are not in. We must sit back and admit that no matter how good we THINK we are at driving our automobiles, we all lose sight of the responsibility that comes with that freedom.
All of us do it at some point. We are running late. Traffic is slow. We weave in and out of traffic. We drive 10-20 mph over the limit, or "just 5 mph" over in a school zone. We do it to get to wherever we are going just a few minutes quicker.
Most of the time we get away with it, but...
How many minutes are saved by getting a traffic ticket?
How many minutes is a dented fender saving us?
How many minutes would you give to avoid injuring yourself, your family, that kid in the crosswalk or that person in the other car?
How many minutes would you give to be alive, or save a family member or that total stranger in front of you in traffic?
When I feel the tension and the temptation to do something "just a little" outside of the law, I try to remind myself of this. Most of the time, I just do the right thing and be late, and make sure I leave earlier next time... Sometimes I don't. I've been lucky, not right.
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