
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 17, 1993                   TAG: 9306180394
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-14   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

WILL THE LESSON EVER BE LEARNED?

ON JUNE 3, life was stolen from a 9-year-old boy. The thief was immaturity, irresponsibility and neglect. Yet a child himself, a 20-year-old boy, in the body of a man but with the brain and thinking capacity of a child, climbs into a lethal weapon with the effects of alcohol clouding his judgment and races to nowhere.

On their way to get a snack, Dustin and Robin Washburn never dreamed that this would be his last ride. Without knowledge of Peters Creek Road being turned into a race track, she pulls out of her own street and is struck immediately. In an instant, this child is gone. A part of life has left all that loved him.

I am Dustin's aunt, and my heart aches knowing we will never see him again on this Earth. I hope that his death brings an awareness to young people that alcohol and driving do not mix. In less than one month in this valley, two boys lost their lives and another lies in a hospital bed not knowing his fate. Yet, still there is this fallacy that some can drink and drive.

What do we do? How do we get this point across? If every one guilty of driving under the influence were made to witness what the victim's family has to endure, maybe it would send home a message and the madness would stop.

As Dustin's family, we promise to do all we can to have his memory continue on and to make a difference in this world. BETH LONG ROANOKE

by CNB