An Accident I’ll Never Forget

On December 1, 2012, there was a terrible accident on Rt 87 in the Albany, NY area that I live in. Four high school students had been at a Siena College VS UAlbany basketball game – a huge rivalry in the area – and were struck from behind by an impaired driver on their way home. The car flipped over and landed upside down. It took firefighters a while to get the occupants out. Two of the four teenagers did not survive. They were the driver, Chris Stewart and one of the back seat passengers, Deanna Rivers. The impaired driver that hit their car, Dennis Drue, was both drunk and high at the time of the accident, and walked away with minor cuts and bruises.

I was only seven when this happened, but this had such an impact on the area that I can remember the aftermath. People were so upset that an impaired driver stole the lives of two great kids who were looking forward to graduation and college and their lives ahead. When Dennis Drue was on trial it was all over the news. He was found guilty and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. When he was up for parole, there was a collective holding of the breath until he was denied. He was in his twenties when the accident occurred and his poor choices ruined his life, altered two more, and ended the lives of Chris and Deanna.

I am reminded Chris and Deanna when I show up to watch my sister play field hockey at Shenendehowa High School, and see the field named in Chris’s honor. Chris and Deanna were both seventeen. Deanna was looking at colleges and planned to play softball for the College of St. Rose. I think about them since I too am now seventeen and have a plan to attend college in the fall. So much was taken from them through no fault of their own.

Chris was driving and doing everything right. He was going to the speed limit and probably following all of the things he had learned in drivers ed. There was never any blame put on Chris. When he was hit from behind at a high speed, the car went out of his control. Blame lies entirely with the driver who chose to drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

What could have stopped this accident from happening? The answer lies with the decisions Dennis Drue made that night. He should know from every drivers ed class or test he’s ever taken that the number one rule is to not drive impaired. If people cannot be trusted to make these decisions for themselves, I think cars should have a breathalyzer you have to breathe into the get the car to start. While not fool proof since another occupant could breathe into it and not drive, it would cut away back on impaired drivers. People who think they’re find to drive and come up not fine would be forced to find an alternate plan.

Drivers Education is so important in teaching a person to be a good driver. Even new drivers who don’t have much experience know the right things to do in situations where they need to make a split second decision. I had learned how to handle my car on ice but had never slid before until just last week when my car slid on black ice when I was stopping at a STOP sign. I knew to turn my wheels in the direction of the back of the car and was able to get the car under control before it slid onto the main street ahead of me.

I drive an old car. It does not have Apple Play or any way to safely use my phone via Bluetooth. I am sure to set up any directions before I leave my driveway and never touch my phone until I am at my destination. I used to think you could check your phone at a red light, but I know form Drivers Ed that that is not allowed. Even though you’re sitting at a red light, you need to have your wits about you because people are crossing the street or an ambulance may come by. It is still not okay to take your attention from the road.

I have completed Drivers Ed. I have taken a defensive driving class and five hours of driving with an instructor. I make sure everyone in my car is buckled up. I try and keep the radio low so as not to distract me. I make sure my phone is secured and other than directions, I do not use it while I’m operating the car. I make sure to drive at a safe speed and try really hard to keep myself and others safe while I’m on the road. While I can’t control other drivers, I can control how I drive and make sure I’m being as safe as possible.