Driving Under the Influence: Surviving Family & MADD Candlelight Vigil – Justice Journal Episode 61

Video available on https://youtu.be/OMcB7b9J7M4

Description: Discussion with parents who lost their young daughter to a repeat DUI offender and her sister, who is now a MADD victim advocate. The family shares how their loss has impacted their lives and how MADD has helped them through the years.

Show Notes: Larry and Kathy Harris talk about their 12-year-old daughter, Irene, who was killed by a repeat DUI offender in 1981. They recount the day Irene was killed, the circumstances of what happened, how they found out and how the loss of Irene forever changed their family and lives. They also talk about the court process in 1981 and how they had no voice or rights at that time. Irene’s older sister, Rhonda Campbell, shares her experience with losing Irene and how she witnessed her parents having no power within the criminal justice system.

Deputy District Attorney Courtney Martin outlines the different DUI/DUID charges and potential sentences to highlight how the laws and criminal justice have changed since Irene was killed. The laws and penalties are much harsher, with the possibility of filing murder charges as the DA’s Office has successfully done in many DUI/DUID cases.

Rhonda talks about how her personal experience losing her sister to a DUI offender led her to become a MADD victim advocate. She explains what her role entails, different programs and services MADD offers and how she works with the DA’s Office on prevention efforts. She also shares information about MADD’s annual candlelight vigil and how people can get involved.

Courtney speaks to the different prevention programs the DA’s Office hosts and participates in with partner law enforcement agencies, the Public Defender’s Office, Probation Department, the court and community organizations, including Arrive Alive, CA and MADD.

The emphasis for both MADD’s and DA’s Office prevention efforts is on high school students and teen drivers.

The episode ends with Larry, Kathy and Rhonda asking listeners not to let another family go through what their family has endured and not to drive while impaired and help others not to make that dangerous decision. They encourage people to take a ride-share, taxi or have a sober driver.

RESOURCES:

https://www.sacda.org/in-the-community/community-programs/

https://www.sacda.org/victim-services/

https://www.ots.ca.gov/

https://madd.org/sacramento/

https://www.arrivealiveca.com/