Sentence not long enough for driver

Published 12:50 am Friday, October 3, 2008

Four months ago the worlds of three women and their families were dramatically altered after a senseless act. One girl lost her life, another was severely injured and lost her friend, while the third is only receiving nine years in prison for this horrific act.

When Debra Acey got behind the wheel of her SUV on Nov. 18, 2001, she selfishly disregarded the safety of anyone around her. To begin with, a person should know that alcohol and prescription medications do not mix, and to add a car into that equation makes them the most irresponsible and despicable person alive. She should be ashamed for what she has done.

For the rest of their lives the Klotz and Fischer families will have to live through the pain of what happened. Two innocent families were affected that night and will never be able to get closure on what happened.

For the King County Prosecutor’s Office to say that they are seeking an extended sentence of nine years instead of only 61/2 years is ridiculous. This was Acey’s second drunk-driving offense. She took the life of an innocent bystander and for her to only get nine years in prison is completely absurd. Whether or not intentional, she has murdered someone and should pay a higher price for her crime.

One question I have is what did the people that she had been with do to try to stop her from driving? They should hold some responsibility also because they allowed their friend to get in her car. If you are going to drink, it is important to be responsible and either have a designated driver or stay where you are until you are sober.

Every year drunk drivers kill hundreds, if not thousands, of innocent people. None of these people, or their families, deserve to lose their loved ones.

So to conclude, I think if a drunk driver should decide to be reckless and endanger the lives of innocent people, the consequences should be more severe.

Rita Danielson

North Bend