Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 24, 1993 TAG: 9306240489
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Three weeks ago, one of my best friends, Raymond Dykes Jr., was in an automobile accident. One innocent person, Geoffery Pelton, died, and two were seriously injured.
Fortunately, "Sugar Ray" Dykes wasn't one of those who died. However, he is in a rehabilitation center, paralyzed from the waist down. An energetic, fun-loving guy who loved to play basketball, go out with friends, dance, laugh, and baby-sit with his sisters may never be able to do those things again. He is a strong and independent person who is willing to give all to have back the use of his legs.
Drinking and driving is, to me, cold-blooded murder - more so when it involves innocent people. I feel no pity for the two guys who hit Geoffery Pelton and "Sugar Ray." Our highways are supposed to be safe - that is why we pay so many taxes. Instead of our police officers being where they aren't needed, they should be heavily supervising our highways.
We have to do something before more lives are lost and before more people like "Sugar Ray" are injured. The laws on drinking and driving have to be made stricter. Take away their cars or put them in jail. If they kill an innocent person, is the penalty for involuntary manslaughter enough? No, it isn't. KATHERINE FOSTER ROANOKE
by CNB