June 2, 2007: I was one week away from finishing my freshmen year of college. I could not wait to be reunited with my childhood group of friends, who were more like family to me. That morning I received a call from one of my friends that made time stop. The words took the wind out of me and sent me into shock, "Steven got killed by a drunk driver last night."
Steven Rhone had gone to visit our group of 15 guy friends that night, and after drinking made the decision to walk home instead of getting behind the wheel. Damian MacKay, 22 at the time, was not that wise. After consuming 9-12 drinks he decided to drive home. Just feet away from two of my friends MacKay took Steven's life , and fled the scene where he would attempt to cover the evidence.
On Oct. 5 MacKay was given an absolutely pathetic sentence of 4.5 years in prison for vehicular homicide. All those who aided him received a slim 5 months.
In the beginning the initial shock of losing someone who you considered one of your best friends seemed like the most difficult thing that I would face, unfortunately it only got worse. I tried to hid behind denial, the boy who had lived around the corner from me for 12 years could not really be gone.
I remember every moment of the morning I went to his funeral. It felt surreal, and staged as if it was just part of a stunt used in assemblies to keep students from drinking and driving. But this was real. Pictures and memorobilia crowded the hallways. Nearly everyone who I had known growing up was there. Parents with tears in the eyes trying to remain strong, teachers who Steven and I had together, and as it seemed nearly everyone in our senior class, a tribute to how loved Steven was. As I watched pictures of Steven and I go by on a slideshow I had a sinking feeling in my stomach, this was real.
Steven Rhone had gone to visit our group of 15 guy friends that night, and after drinking made the decision to walk home instead of getting behind the wheel. Damian MacKay, 22 at the time, was not that wise. After consuming 9-12 drinks he decided to drive home. Just feet away from two of my friends MacKay took Steven's life , and fled the scene where he would attempt to cover the evidence.
On Oct. 5 MacKay was given an absolutely pathetic sentence of 4.5 years in prison for vehicular homicide. All those who aided him received a slim 5 months.
In the beginning the initial shock of losing someone who you considered one of your best friends seemed like the most difficult thing that I would face, unfortunately it only got worse. I tried to hid behind denial, the boy who had lived around the corner from me for 12 years could not really be gone.
I remember every moment of the morning I went to his funeral. It felt surreal, and staged as if it was just part of a stunt used in assemblies to keep students from drinking and driving. But this was real. Pictures and memorobilia crowded the hallways. Nearly everyone who I had known growing up was there. Parents with tears in the eyes trying to remain strong, teachers who Steven and I had together, and as it seemed nearly everyone in our senior class, a tribute to how loved Steven was. As I watched pictures of Steven and I go by on a slideshow I had a sinking feeling in my stomach, this was real.
As I wrote I realized this is the first time I have put my thoughts on paper about Steven. The number of goosebumps on my skin and the size of the knot in my stomach multiplies the more I write.These feelings as well as those I have dealt with in losing a great friend of mine are many which I hope no one has to feel.
In Steven's memory and to protect the lives of others this blog is dedicated to punishing those ignorant enough to drive drunk. I am pushing to make it mandatory for an Ignition Interlock device to be installed in a person's car after receiving a DUI. This would force drivers to be ACCOUNTABLE. They would have to blow into a piece in order for the car to start. If the driver's BAC is over .03 the car will not start. This simple device would save thousands and thousands of lives at a very small cost. One breath could save a life.
I am calling upon Kathy Lambert my local councilmember to help me make a change. Upon hearing my story and the measures other states are taking I hope she will be responsive to a constituent of her district.
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