Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Drunk Driver kills motorcyclist and Officer

http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/0501officerdies0501.html

Another motocyclist and good guy has been struck down by a drunk driver. I heard about this crash on the news shortly after it happened on Saturday evening and then learned yesterday that this was a guy I knew through his work as a DUI enforcement officer.
My stomach turned before I knew who it was, and now it just sickens me to think that not only was one of my clan of motorcyclists struck down, he was an officer doing his work and a man I knew.
And the suspect ran from the scene - WHAT A COWARD!!!!! What's worse, from what I am hearing (unofficially), if he had remained and rendered assistance as required by our laws, the officer might have had at least a little bit of a chance!!!!!

As a law enforcement official, this just makes me all the more adament about prosecuting drunk drivers to the fullest extent of the law. I realize that we all make mistakes, but when those mistakes are repeated or put other people in jeopardy of losing their lives, I have absolutely no sympathy. This is one of the reasons I do what I do.
Its a sad day to lose a "brother in arms" in such a senseless way.
Becky

So sorry to hear, hope the individual feels the full force of the law!

it's happen also here last saturday in Verona two jung, boy and his gilr are death on the road for guilt of a drunk driver who has hit them in full load cutting the motorcycle in two parts

Anyone who would drive drunk is a scumb*g. I hope you always push for the max sentence when you have the opportunity to prosecute these lowlifes!

Sad news Becky.
I feel sorry for their families too.

And in other Arizona news....

---------------------------
A 22-year-old Phoenix man was sentenced to three years' probation last week in connection with a fatal 2003 hit-and-run collision.

Benjamin Harris Field was arrested after police tracked him down following the accident that killed Valentino Borea, 73. Borea was struck from behind by a Jeep Cherokee in the early morning hours of Sept. 14, 2003.

Borea was thrown from his motorcycle and died at the scene of the accident, on westbound Interstate 10 near Eloy.

According to Arizona Department of Public Safety officials, the Jeep's driver drove several miles on a flat tire before ditching the vehicle on a rural road near the junction of Arizona 287 and I-10. Officers were able to identify the Jeep because its missing bumper was embedded in Borea's motorcycle.
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Derek -
CRAP!!!! Shoulda gone to prison at least for while, but some of my esteemed collegues in other counties don't seem to get it.
Course, this might have been a case of hard to prove who the driver was, and something is better than nothing. Proving who a driver was after the fact in a hit & run is sometimes very hard - specially the longer it takes to find them.
But that just aint right!
B
(Oh, and see you guys Saturday afternoon!)

Becky,

I was so busy ranting that I neglected to offer my condolences. Forgive me...I am truly sorry. My sympathies to this man's family, as well.

I also forgot to express my condolences Becky. I'm sorry to hear you lost a colleague.

You're right about proof. I didn't post the entire article and it also said that they couldn't prove who was at fault, or if the Jeep driver was impaired. It still seems to be a small price to pay for a hit and run. Maybe if the guy stuck around, the motorcyclist would have had a chance.

Glad to hear you're going to make it this weekend. Hope you'll have time for a game or 2 of cutthroat pool.

You arizonan's have a safe ride this weekend. I-10 has been deadly the last few days. A tractor trailer pickup truck collision claimed 7 yesterday near Red Rock I am sure you have seen.

I have yet to venture beyond the limits of Tucson. I-10 seems a bit intimidating. The sensation of speed on a bike is so much more evident than in a four wheeled vehicle. My first road trip when I take on I-10 @ 75 miles an hour in traffic will be a learning experience I am sure.

I arrest as many as I can here in Oklahoma, but you guys should see the ones that swear on their mothers grave they haven't been drinking, even though they smell like a brewery, can barely stand straight/walk straight, and slurr their words......Angelis

I posted this before "more sad news", but it bears repeating:
Three weeks ago, the brother of one of our truck drivers was killed on his mc when a drunk driver cut right in front of him. I knew this guy for about 10 years, he was A OK.
My condolences, I feel your pain.

Charlie

Kevin - I avoid the freeways whenever possible, but I-10 between Phx and Tucson I have never done on the bike. I find other ways around, like thru Florence. I hate that stretch of road in 4 wheels.
I have done sections of I-40 and regularly do I-17, but they do not have nearly the amount of traffic.
Ride Safe.
Becky

Bad news indeed, sorry to hear that.

try hittin that 101 loop at rush hour. Its a pain in the ****** on four wheels. I'd not want to tackle it on purpose on two.

Becky,

I too am sorry to hear that another one of these cowardly idiot's actions has wrecked havoc in the lives of some so close to your own. My condolences.

Now, my rant......

I CAN'T STAND ALCOHOLICS!!!

Yeah, "I know"! They have a "medical problem"! Yeah, RIGHT!!! What they HAVE is a brain of a 5 year old that never LEARNED that drinking to EXCESS is freakin' STUPID, and it doesn't make you more freakin' "manly", or more "sauve"!!!

(another one of my many "theories of life" is that this "gene thing" that is often used to excuse this type of disfunctional behavior is secondary in importance to growing up watching their Old Man come home, get blitzed, and "learning" "real men" drink "hardy".

And...I also don't care if Mommy and/or Daddy never loved 'em, and that's why they've been self-medicating most of their lives.

To them I say...GROW THE F*CK UP and learn your G.D. limitations.

Cheers,
Dwight
(pretty intolerant for a "liberal", huh....and, this could be yet another reason why I never went into the medical profession....my "bedside manner"[especially for these types of "medical cases"] would have left a bit to be desired, as you can tell)

Sorry to her that Becky. Will people never learn?

Sorry to hear this, but glad you are out there doing your job.

Dave

Just to stir a little...

I would suspect that most alcoholics do drink at home.

If I'm out and have the bike with me, I'm on lemonade. Not even a shandy. Maybe a glass of coke....or OJ. But no alcohol.

Most accidents involving drink are casual drinkers who think that 2 or 3 pints and they are still ok to drive/ride home.

These are the ones who should be getting the wrath of our tempers. These will be the most dangerous.

Dale, I think you're being overly sensitive. If you are clean and sober, I applaud you...and I think the majority of people, esp members of this forum, will do so. I can't speak for Dwight, who you quoted, but I can sure as shooting make a rational assumption that he was NOT referring to recovering alcoholics such as yourself. As for me, I just hate drunks. Kudos to you for not driving when you WERE drinking...a lot fewer people would be dying if there more home drinkers. Again, congrats on your 4 years. I know that for a recovering alcoholic doing one day at a time, 4 years is a big deal.

Yep! Sorry Mad.

I guess I should have qualified that one with "practicing" alcoholics.

This little previous intolerant rant of mine DEFINATELY does not apply to those such as yourself who have awoken from this self-induced nightmare.

Look...you guys know how I feel about "religion" around here. But if "findin' Jesus" helps some people realize that they just might have a freakin' problem that negatively affects their family, friends and society at large, I say....GO FOR IT Dude!
(just don't become a freakin' intolerant Right-Wing jerk afterward...leave this intolerance crap to ME...like my alcohol, I know how to handle it)

Cheers,
Dwight
(and keep up the good work Mad...I admire you)

There are those "bad" ones out there who are multiple repeat offenders. The ones who have had two or more DUI and are due for another. I think it sickens everyone when these folks even after two or three times at the plate still come back and screw up again.

I agree the casual folks who are at best "social drinkers" especially on holidays or special occasions often cause fatal accidents. Also young people who are new to alcohol are often involved in tragic accidents.

The key to it really is a "zero tolerance" at all levels.

There are millions of functional alcholics worldwide who do their drinking at home. As long as they dont venture out that is not a problem other than its impact to their own lives and those of their families.

Drinking problems cross to all nationalities and political , socio, economic classes. At times they are prolific in the halls of power ...where they are most protected from criminal prosecution and are less likely to suffer punishment. (See Ted Kennedy and a host of others) So it is unfair to assume a right wing mentality to recovering boozers wherever they are. Whether they use a 12 step option involving a higher power or simply manage to quit it on their own.

By the same token those who choose to be functional drinkers and do so with no impact to their health and or familial relationships and have the good sense to stay at home or utilize a "designated" driver are all OK by me.

Dont care what their politics are.....of course if the democrats all get drunk and stay in bed on election day that'd be fine with me.

After all Teddy kennedy is the most self rightious of left wing jerks in the known universe. And his nose is always red and bulbous.

By the same token old George Dubya used to do a drop or two and got a DUI. I dont think it had anything to do with his politics.

Its all about responsibility.

I had an Aunt killed by a drunk driver about 10 years ago.

He got 3 years in gaol....3 years!!!

This is where I get my give the offender to the family to punish point of view from.