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Impact panel impresses participantsposted 08/09/02
The VIP began in 1987 in Clackamas County, Oregon. Victims of drunk driving crashes or other tragedies involving drugs share the painful effects the incidents have had on them. Saturday's panel was the first in San Juan County. Since June, people found guilty in District Court of crimes involving drugs including alcohol have been ordered to participate in a VIP. Deputy Lyle Tarte spoke first. His voice broke as he described in detail the anguish of being the first responder to two fatal car crashes. One eight or nine years ago, one last month. "I can still clearly see the scene as if it was just yesterday," he said. "It hurts, it still hurts." He also told the group of 16 men and two women about losing his uncle in a fatal car crash on Orcas Island. "He had great kids, he had a great life. His death was unnecessary. It was not an accident," he said. There are no drunk driving accidents according to Tarte. There are drunk driving crashes. "DUI (driving while intoxicated) crashes happen on purpose," he said. In his 11 years with the sheriff's office he has made 150 drunk driving arrests. Veta Cyr of Yakima spoke next. "You always think - it doesn't happen to us. It is something you only read about," she said. "Dead is dead." She shared the story of her granddaughter Crystal who died in a drunk driving crash 15 years ago. She was four and a half years old when a man with four previous dui arrests ran over her in a parking lot. Cyr also lost her son, RIck, who was Crystal's father, earlier this year. He died as a result of a gunshot wound. "I'm not here to shame you," she said. "Before my granddaughter was killed, I was an offender. I would drink and drive. I stopped after holding my granddaughter dead in my arms." Cyr's recounting of the tragedy that took her son's life was even more painful for her. He was shot in the stomach by a man who was drunk and high on meth. Her son lay bleeding for 20 minutes while police secured the crime scene. He died in the hospital three hours later. "I lie in bed and see him laying there," she said. Traces of alcohol and other drugs were found during Rick's autopsy. Cyr believes he was less careful than he would have been in the situation because of the drugs. After she spoke she showed two videos set to music of images of Crystal and Rick. The audience was wiping away tears as the two lives played out onscreen. "I got a lot more out than I ever expected out of this class," a participant wrote. "I could take a deep look into the lives of totally different people that have been affected by DUIs in totally different ways. It was really great to come here." Another wrote: "Vita's stories are strong and hurting. I hope her life grows with more positive occurrences and she is able to hold her children in heaven. I heard what she said." Cyr runs the VIP in Yakima. Fifty to 60 participants a month attend the panels. She encouraged the audience participants to consider becoming speakers especially the younger men. "Many who come and speak are offenders," she said. "You can make a difference with kids." |
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