A Soldier’s Service, Life Cut Short by Drunk Driver

Jason’s Story

Jason's family in happy times.

Jason Brian Carder, age 21, lucked out when he got his plum assignment to join the U.S. Army Calvary Scouts, stationed at Schofield Barracks in Honolulu, Hawaii. His goal was to qualify for the GI Bill so he could study at the the University of Florida in Gainesville with his younger brother Nate.

On August 10, 1997, while heading to the beach with his three buddies to celebrate their pal Eric’s birthday, Eric grew tired and pulled the car over on the shoulder to switch drivers. Before he could even get out of the car, a drunk driver slammed into the back of their car, killing Jason instantly, destroying another friend’s spleen, causing minor injuries to the third passenger, and brain contusions to Eric. 

Ironically, the 23-year-old drunk driver was from the same Army base as Jason and his friends, serving in a mechanics brigade. He was not arrested immediately, and the military released him to be processed by civilian authorities since the crash happened on a public highway. Following his conviction for vehicular homicide the offender was released for time served, according to Jason’s mother, Pamela Anderson.

Jason (right) and an Army buddy

It had been 8 months since Pamela had seen Jason, and a week since she’d talked to him. She and her husband Kent didn’t find out about his death until a day later. “We were asleep when the doorbell rang at midnight. An officer from MacDill Air Force base in Tampa told us the news. I screamed. I couldn’t believe it,” says Pamela. A memorial service was held on the Army base, and Jason’s immediate sergeant flew home with his body and helped eulogize him at his funeral service in Lakeland, Florida.

The high school heavyweight wrestler had graduated from boot camp in Fort Knox, Kentucky on December 17, 1996. He left Tampa for Hawaii January 5, 1997, for seven short months. He had always wanted to go to Hawaii, and during his brief stint in the Army he also got to go to Thailand for jungle warfare training. He was considering taking classes while in the service to get some of his college requirements out of the way.

“A Good Ole Country Boy” Remembered 
“He was a good ole country boy,” his mom says. “There was never a dull day with Jason around.” She laughs remembering how his sergeant warned him during training in Thailand to “cut a tree,” meaning cut around it. Instead, he cut the tree to the ground!

Pamela traveled to Honolulu on the third anniversary of Jason’s death and met his friends. “It was kind of rough, but healing, too,” she says. Her faith in God has gotten her through the intervening years. She, her daughter Monica and Jason’s grandparents have joined in fundraising walks for MADD, and Monica has attended several MADD-sponsored Christmas events in honor of Jason.

If you or a loved one has been affected by a drunk driving crash, MADD Victim Services can help. We have more than 1,500 trained victim advocates nationwide who provide bereaved families and injured victims with support and information. Call our Victim/Survivor Helpline at 
1-877-MADD-HELP (877-623-3435) to speak with a Victim Advocate.

Join the moderated MADD Victim Survivor Chat Support Group. 
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