BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.—Every day, almost 30 people in the United States die in motor-vehicle crashes that involve an impaired driver. This equates to one death every 51 minutes.
In 2012, there were 357 traffic fatalities in South Carolina due to alcohol-impaired driving.
“It’s a horrible problem in South Carolina, especially in Berkeley County,” stated Kelly DeHay with Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Tuesday night, DeHay along with dozens of people from the community participated in a candlelight vigil at the AME Church in Moncks Corner to remember the many lives impacted by those who chose to drive behind the wheel drunk.
“We’re trying to raise awareness for this crime, and we’re trying to honor the people that have been affected by it,” explained DeHay. “This is a really important thing to do—especially around the holidays because so many people tend to drive drunk during this time of the year.”
According to Chief Deputy Rick Ollic with the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office from October 2013 to October 2014, his department has arrested 129 people for driving under the influence of alcohol.
During Tuesday’s memorial service, several people spoke about how impaired drivers personally changed their lives forever.
Twenty-two-years ago, Gene Reese of Goose Creek was driving home from work when a drunk driver crossed into his lane, traveling more than 80 miles per hour. The accident sent Reese to the hospital where he remained in a coma for three months. Today, he says he’s lucky to be alive; however, the accident has left him paralyzed.
In 2011, Treva Zoll lost her sister and best friend, 47-year-old Candy Zoll, after a drunk driver struck the car she was driving in on Broughton Road in Moncks Corner. (See story here.) Five months ago, the driver was sentenced to 17 years in prison.
“When someone makes the decision to drive under the influence, often times they don’t think that they are under the influence,” stressed DeHay. “If you think about whether or not, you’re okay to drive, odds are you’re not. You should always make a plan before you get on the road, before you drink.”
Since 1989, The Berkeley County Prevention Board in conjunction with several other agencies have sponsored the candlelight vigil. For DeHay, the event has been therapeutic and has also given her the opportunity to bond with others who’ve experienced tragedy. Seven years ago, her little daughter, Kasey, was killed by a drunk driver with a .16 BAC.
“Ever since I lost Kacey, I’ve wanted to work with the community and save people from what we’re going through,” stated DeHay. “When a mother loses a child, it’s like you’re losing a piece of you.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the annual cost of alcohol-related crashes totals more than $59 billion.
“We never call drunk driving an accident. An accident can’t be prevented. The decision to drive impaired is a conscious decision,” stressed DeHay. “It is a horribly irresponsible thing. We need to make sure we change the culture in this area.”
South Carolina is currently ranked as one of the worst states for DUI fatalities. To report an impaired driver, dial *HP on your phone.
