Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 9, 1993 TAG: 9304090342
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A DRUNKEN DRIVER PAYS; A FAMILY COPES WITH LOSS
Kevin Patrick cannot bear to talk about the drunken driver who killed his pregnant wife, Robin, in August."It's more or less taking salt and rubbing it in a wound again," his father explained.
His wife's mother, Carolyn S. Smith, said she will never get over the loss of her eldest child.
"It's just ruined my life," Smith sobbed. "Any happiness that comes, there is a sadness because Robin can't be a part of it."
They will find no consolation today when the drunken driver responsible for Robin Patrick's death is sentenced in Salem Circuit Court.
Timothy Scott Chrisman, a 27-year-old salesman, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with the Aug. 2 accident on West Main Street.
Chrisman was driving home after a night of drinking when he veered head-on into a car in which Robin Patrick was a passenger. She died about 90 minutes later. Doctors were not able to save the baby.
Chrisman faces up to 10 years in prison.
His attorney has said that Chrisman has expressed a great deal of remorse and is under the care of a psychiatrist.
But "he doesn't know anything about suffering," Carolyn Smith said.
There is no trace of bitterness in her voice - just the pain of a mother who has stared grief in the face.
Smith said she was not sure if sending Chrisman to prison for 10 years would serve any purpose.
"It's just so hard to say what I want. What I want is her to be alive. He robbed her of her chance."
Robin Patrick graduated from Patrick Henry High School in June 1991. She had taken advanced courses and played the bass fiddle in Roanoke Youth Symphony.
She was in a hurry to do everything - get married, start a family and continue her education.
"She had lots of dreams," her mother said.
Robin and Kevin Patrick - her high school boyfriend - were married in March 1992. The young couple were looking forward to the birth of their first child.
Robin planned to enroll at Virginia Western Community College. Kevin's mother already had agreed to watch the baby while she attended classes.
On the night of Aug. 1, Robin called a friend to ask if she wanted to go out riding.
"She had been cooped up in the house all day," Rebecca Shannon Denton said.
Robin, Denton and a third woman, Tarina Wheeling, rode around for several hours in Denton's subcompact car. Denton was behind the wheel. Robin was in the front seat. Wheeling sat in back.
The accident happened at 1:15 a.m. on West Main Street, near the city limits.
Wheeling suffered a broken leg and arm. Denton suffered a broken hand and bruise left by the seat belt.
Robin Patrick, who also wore a seat belt, died from chest and head injuries.
Denton said she hoped Chrisman serves a full 10 years.
"People know you don't get in the car after drinking. He should feel remorseful. Whatever he gets, I don't think it will be enough."
Joe Patrick, the victim's father-in-law, was less sure about what he considered an appropriate sentence.
"He seemed genuinely moved at the [plea] hearing. . . . I don't look for him to get a real big prison sentence, and I don't know if I want him to.
"But something has to be done about people drinking, driving out on the road and killing innocent people."
Joe Patrick said his son does not plan to attend the sentencing hearing.
"He said that he just couldn't stand to be in the same room with the guy who killed his wife."
Keywords:
FATALITY