Drunk drivers seriously injure and kill thousands of people each year.  According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (“MADD”), on average, someone is killed by a drunk driver every 45 minutes.  In 2008, approximately 11,773 people died in drunk driving related crashes.  What will it take to stop druink drivers?  One drunk driver will now pay by spending his life in prison.

Bobby Stovall was convicted on July 29, 2010 by a jury of felony driving while intoxicated, and he elected to have the judge assess the punishment. After hearing additional evidence, the judge sentenced Mr. Stovall to life in prison.  On July 3, 2009, while driving his truck in Round Rock, Texas, Mr. Stovall crossed lanes of traffic without yielding.  Another vehicle hit his truck, and a female passenger in Mr. Stovall’s truck was injured.  She allegedly had a blood alcohol level of .38.  Mr. Stovall was intoxicated (according to police), and he allegedly had eight previous DWI convictions from Collin, Dewitt, Nueces, Galveston, Jackson and/or Goliad Counties.  Mr. Stovall’s blood sample was taken, and a test at the DPS Crime Laboratory showed that Stovall had a blood alcohol concentration of .32.  Take a look at this article -

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/blotter/entries/2010/08/11/man_receives_life_in_prison_af.html

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What will it take to keep drunk drivers off of our roads?  People who choose to drive drunk cause numerous injuries and deaths each year, and significant criminal penalties seem not to have stemmed the tide.  An alleged drunk driver recently hit a motorcyclist in Amarillo, causing significant injuries.  Here is a link to the story -

http://www.newschannel10.com/global/story.asp?s=12627461

A Bastrop County jury sentenced a drunk driver this week to two consecutive 17 1/2 year prison sentences.  The driver, Sandy Sendgikoski, was found guilty of two counts of intoxication manslaughter.  Mr. Sengikoski, driving a Dodge Neon, failed to stop at a stop sign and struck a truck.  The truck went airborne and in turn struck another truck.  Two men died as a result of the crash – a former Travis County chief deputy and the owner of a landscaping company.  Here is a link to an article about the verdict -

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/man-sentenced-in-dwi-deaths-591570.html

Hopefully, the day will come when a drunk driving crash will be a rare occurrence.  Drunk driving injuries and deaths are 100% preventable.  We make decisions whether to drink, when to drink, and how much to drink.  We then decide whether to get behind the wheel of a vehicle which can maim and kill if not operated properly.  Let’s make the right decisions and avoid the consequences of driving while intoxicated.

Photo Source: Freebase

During the holiday season, we think of family, friends, faith, and leisure time.  As Americans, we have unique views of the holidays.  It is almost impossible to go anywhere in December, or turn on the radio, without hearing “White Christmas.”  However, there is a more sinister side of the holidays which wrecks families and ruins lives.

Drunk driving continues despite increased criminal penalties and societal disdain for the behavior.  Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of any improper substance can lead to serious injury and death, as well as prison time for the drunk driver.  Let’s do our part to stamp out the practice on Texas streets and highways.  The first simple, basic rule, which can be followed by all thinking adults, is don’t drink and drive.   Then, let’s be bold and mature enough to encourage others to do the same.