Why We’re Here: Rhett Perryman and Skyler Johnson
By MADD | April 4, 2013 | Filed in: Victim Stories

Rhett Perryman

On May 25, 2002, Elesha Cruey’s husband, Rhett, and seven-year-old son, Skyler made a quick trip to the Ranger’s Ballpark to pick up tickets.  Elesha stayed home preparing dinner for the family.  The stadium wasn’t far, so she expected them back home within a short period of time.

Elesha’s parents were in town visiting from South Dakota.  Her mom was watching the evening news when the story about horrific crash on the freeway came on…she recognized one of the cars that was on fire.  After calling Rhett's cell phone several times with no answer and calling all of the hospitals looking for them with no luck, Elesha and her dad decided to drive to the crash scene.  They were desperate to see if their family members were alright.  When they arrived at the fiery crash site, their worst thoughts came true. They were told by the medical examiner that both Rhett and Skyler had been killed. 

Skyler Johnson

That day, a drunk driver traveling the wrong way on the highway hit 11 cars, killing four people—including Rhett and Skylerand badly injuring several others.  The drunk driver also died in the crash.

The day after Rhett and Skyler died, Elesha found out she was pregnant.  During the first year after the crash, the baby gave her a reason to keep going, and made her feel like she still had a piece of them with her.

Elesha was contacted by a local MADD victim advocate who helped her in many ways, including getting crime victims compensation.  At the time she wasn’t working and with the news of the pregnancy and two other daughters to care for, it was a lifesaver.

On the 10 year anniversary of the crash, Elesha, and her three daughters, Bethany, Kaylee and SaVanna, visited the crash site for the first time.  They placed their handmade crosses on the road in memory of Rhett and Skyler.

For many years after the crash, Elesha had always wanted to be a part of MADD, but didn’t feel ready.  After that day, she felt that it was time to reach out.  “It wasn’t about my story anymore. It was about someone else’s, and I wanted to help people like MADD helped me.” She felt a new passion to reach out to others that had lost a loved one as she had.

Elesha recently completed MADD’s Victim Assistance Training Institute and connected with MADD North Texas to start volunteering as a Victim Advocate and Victim Speaker.  She also started a support group named "In Our Hearts" for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one in her area.  Through her journey, Elesha has learned that no matter how horrific a situation looks at the time, there is always hope and a new day.

Elesha remarried in August of 2011. Her husband had two children, so together they have five. His son was seven years old when they married, the same age Skyler was when he died.  Elesha says, “I feel like God gave me another little boy to enjoy in this life.”

In the Middle of the Dark
By Guest Blogger | April 3, 2013 | Filed in: Victim Services

By Carl McDonald, MADD’s National Law Enforcement Initiatives Manager

I shake off the initial jolt of adrenaline coursing through me as the phone call shocks me from a deep sleep. Going through my routine of gathering my pen and note taking material, I count on those familiar moves to settle me. The voice on the phone is a familiar combination of anxious, faint, unsure and hurt. 

It’s 2:30 in the morning and she needs help.  Her husband was killed. 

This isn’t a 911 call.  I’m a Volunteer Victim Advocate for the MADD National Victim Services Help Line.

The crash involving a drunk driver was six months ago and the impact continues.  In many ways, the impact for this woman is still in motion.

The offender’s blood alcohol percentage was over two and a half times the illegal level, yet bond was set at a puzzling $1,000. The defendant was released right away, and the woman has lingering questions about how this could be possible.

The case has been continued three times.  The first prosecutor showed extreme indifference, an election took place, and now a new prosecutor is in place that is easier to work with. 

The new prosecutor has placed the defendant’s future directly in this woman’s hands.  He’s offered three options to the woman and asked her to decide the defendant’s fate.  She’s not sure if she is capable of a decision like this.  The offender is a 31 year old woman with a three year old daughter.

As we talk through this turn of events, the irony is not lost on either of us.  Those of us whose lives have been shattered by this crime, always strive for a greater voice in the outcome of a prosecution.  Now this woman is thrust into the role of playing God in the life of her offender, and she cannot sleep.

We spend about an hour talking through the collision, her notification and what that day was like for her.  The state police were kind, she says, but they recommended she not view her husband’s body.  The coroner had the same advice.  This haunts her, and she wishes she had insisted.

I make notes as we speak, and ask her if she’s worked with one of our local victim advocates, someone close to where she lives.  With her permission, I’ll forward this information today and we’ll get her some long-term help. 

We’ll walk with her on this most difficult road.  She’s already taken the first steps.  She called and we answered.  Because we know even at 2:30 in the morning, the impact continues.

Alcohol Awareness Month
By MADD | April 3, 2013 | Filed in: Power of Parents , Underage Drinking

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, which is one of the reasons why we chose April 21^st as PowerTalk 21 day, the national day for parents and teens to talk about alcohol. 

Of all the dangers teens face, underage drinking is among the worst.  Compared with non-drinking classmates, teens who drink are more likely to:

• Die in a car crash
• Get pregnant
• Flunk school
• Be sexually assaulted
• Become an alcoholic later in life
• Take their own life through suicide

The longer a teen waits to start drinking, the safer he or she will stay.  Both parents and teens can be part of the solution.

Parents play an important role in a teen’s decision to drink.  In fact, 74% of teens say their parents are the number one influence on their decision to drink.

MADD knows that informed, caring parents can make a difference, and we’re here to help.  Download the latest version of the Power of Parents handbook for tips and tools to help you start the potentially lifesaving conversation about alcohol with your teens.  And, we are giving away an iPad to one lucky parent who downloads the handbook during April.  You can also find additional tips and expert resources at madd.org/powerofparents.

We also have a Power of You(th) booklet available.  This research-based booklet for teens helps you take a stand against underage drinking, for both yourself and your friends.

Together, we can prevent underage drinking and help teens meet their full potential.

Delanie Walker Teams Up with MADD
By MADD | March 26, 2013 | Filed in: Drunk Driving

Delanie Walker with Alice and Bryan Young (Photo courtesy of Delanie Walker)

Less than 24 hours after playing in the Super Bowl, former San Francisco 49er and now Tennessee Titan, Delanie Walker learned that his aunt and uncle, Alice and Bryan Young, had been killed. The Youngs were returning home after watching their nephew play in the Super Bowl in New Orleans. They were stopped on the side of the road when they were rear-ended by an alleged drunk driver.  Both vehicles caught on fire, and Alice and Bryan died at the scene.  The drunk driver sustained only minor injuries.

"This happens so much and now it's really hit home for me. I just want to make people more aware through my story," Walker said.

Walker has resolved to honor his relatives' memory. On March 17^th, he hosted an event at a local restaurant where he signed pictures, MADD t-shirts, fan paraphernalia and jerseys to help raise awareness and funds for MADD.  Delanie will also be participating in the San Francisco Bay Area Walk Like MADD on May 11^th.  You can join his team or make a donation to support them here.
 
As we always say, drunk driving doesn’t discriminate.  It doesn’t matter if you are a NFL football player or just a football fan, anyone can become a victim.  It’s great to see Delanie use his visibility to honor his loved ones and bring awareness to the fight against drunk driving.

Delanie Walker at MADD signing event

Federal Spending Bill Boosts MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving
By MADD | March 21, 2013 | Filed in: Drunk Driving , General

MADD is pleased to announce that Congress has provided full federal funding for the three components of MADD’s Campaign. We couldn’t have done this without the voices of MADD supporters across the country who have been emailing and calling Congress ever since our National Conference Lobby Day in September. Your voices have paid off and will lead to a nation without drunk driving.

The spending bill allows over $50 million for aspects of the Campaign, including:

• $29 million for three annual high visibility “crackdowns.”  Two of these crackdowns are the twice yearly Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaigns, which are key to supporting law enforcement efforts to keep drunk drivers off the road.  The other is for Click It or Ticket, the seat belt campaign, which also helps reduce drunk driving fatalities, since a seat belt is the best defense against a drunk driver.

• $20 million dollars for states that pass an all-offender ignition interlock law.  Right now, 17 states require interlocks for all offenders.  These lifesaving devices reduce drunk driving by two-thirds while on offenders’ vehicles.  This funding, through incentive grants, will encourage more states to save lives with interlocks.

• $5 million dollars for advanced anti-drunk driving technology.  The advanced technology project, known as the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety, or DADSS, is part of a cooperative agreement between federal government and the world’s leading automotive companies.  This is the technology that will eventually eliminate drunk driving by making cars that will fail to operate if the driver is impaired.  This funding will aid this vital research.

Grants will also be available to states to address other key areas of highway safety, including distracted driving, occupant protection, motorcycle safety, traffic records and improving graduated driver licensing laws.

We thank you for your support and ask that you join us to celebrate another milestone in our efforts to eliminate drunk driving, once and for all.