Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Candlelight vigil honors victims of DWI

Jackie Schlotfeldt News-Bulletin Staff Writer; jschlotfeldt@news-bulletin.com

Los Lunas As the sun sank slowly on the horizon, casting a soft golden glow, people gathered at the gazebo at Daniel Fernandez Park to remember and honor loved ones lost or injured by drunk drivers.

The candlelight vigil of remembrance and hope, put on by Mother's Against Drunk Drivers and the Valencia County DWI Program, not only brought awareness to the problem, but also to the long-lasting effects it has on families and communities.

Lisa Valenzuela lost her sister Michelle Jimenez 10 years ago to a drunk driver, and she told the crowd that many candlelight vigils are held near the holidays, but with summertime quickly approaching, there are many people on the road traveling, and odds are there will be many drunk drivers as well.

She went on to say while the effects on families are devastating, they also affect community members and law enforcement as well.

"First responders are also very much victimized by this crime," Valenzuela said of the men and women who are first on the scene.

State Police Officer Curtis Ward said he has experienced the effects of DWI on many levels, and while law enforcement does their best, they are way outnumbered.

"We try to prevent people from having to come to things like this," Ward said.

DWI Prevention and Enforcement Coordinator Ginny Adame said summer can be one of the most dangerous times for tragedies.

"It's a common thing, and it happens here way too often," Adame said. "This is the first of what we hope will be a yearly remembrance to recognize and honor those who've lost a loved one."

Rusty Jackson was hit head on by a drunk driver 11 years ago on N.M. 314, and it took two years to rebuild his jaw and learn to walk and talk again.

"It rearranged my life," Jackson said, sitting in his wheelchair with a cane nearby. "I was really happy with the life I had before. The new Rusty is no where near the old Rusty."

Jackson's wife Ronda said her husband doesn't always feel lucky (he survived), but his family is glad he's still with them.

"It's a simple decision — don't drink and drive," Ronda said. "It's not only you who is affected — it affects everyone. You can see it on all these faces here."

Mary Ann Madrid, who is now confined to a wheelchair, and who lost her friend Quin Sanchez after a drunk driver hit them, said innocent people have to pay for those who choose to drink and then get behind the wheel.

"No one deserves what drunk drivers give us," Madrid said.

Anthony Romero also spoke about losing his son Joshua to a drunken driver more than two years ago.

"It's still hard to talk about it," Romero said. "My goal is that no one will have to experience what me and my family did, and what many of you here tonight have."

Romero went on to say that he's heard people at work talking about how they can avoid some of the repercussions from getting a DWI, or how they are assigned a judge that is more lenient than another judge. He said until the attitudes toward DWI offenders change, nothing will change.

"Unfortunately it will continue to happen," Romero said. "Odds are someone who woke up this morning will no longer be with us by the end of the weekend."

As one person after another told their stories, tears filled their eyes, remembering the loss they have suffered and the many lives that have been cut short due to drunken drivers.

One man came forward and apologized to the crowd, saying he drank and drove a countless number of times. He said he's been sober for 17 years "but until you are sober, you can't see the danger you are putting other people in."

As the shadows of the day grew longer, one by one candles were lit as a reminder of the collective grief this group of strangers shared.

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