It's a sad sad day...
I was just in the court room for the preliminary hearing for Ms. Dingle-- the woman who drunk drove and killed 4 teens in Roseville. The case was adjourned based on 4 motions... one of them being the request for a psychological evaluation because of her alcoholism...
Ms. Dingle knew she was an alcoholic. Had been trying to remain sober. The fact that she had a "trigger" to drink, and thusly abuse alcohol, is not en excuse for getting behind the wheel and deciding to drive. Whether impaired or not, her decision was reckless and endangered not only the innocent children she hit, but anyone else who may have been driving on the road that night.
It happened only at 8:30.... how many people are out driving at that time?! A TON!
To say she was psychologically incapable of making such a decision is wrong and just trying to buy her time, at the expense of the grieving families. I understand it is the job of the defense to provide some means of defense, drinking is a disease, but it does not make an individual immune to the repercussions of the law. Especially when that decision resulted in the deaths of four individuals.
I am so distraught and saddened by these events. My job is to do my best to educate and prevent such nightmares from happening, and I only hope my drug court participants understand that. I don't give a rats ass that you drink... but I do care that when you drink then subsequently decide to get behind the wheel of a car and drive, you endanger innocent people... any of whom may be near and dear to my heart. And I have a serious problem with that.
Yes, I truly care about the addicts I work with. I want them to become better individuals and straighten out their lives. I want them to do better for themselves. But no matter what, end of the day, I care far more for my family and loved ones and hope that the impact I make on my addicts, helps protect them from such a tragedy as this.
I believe Ms Dingle is sorry for her actions, and if she had a chance, she would take it back. I don't think she intended to hurt anyone. But, her actions did. I think she needs to receive the proper sanctions and a good deal of counseling. It's a sad day.
Ms. Dingle knew she was an alcoholic. Had been trying to remain sober. The fact that she had a "trigger" to drink, and thusly abuse alcohol, is not en excuse for getting behind the wheel and deciding to drive. Whether impaired or not, her decision was reckless and endangered not only the innocent children she hit, but anyone else who may have been driving on the road that night.
It happened only at 8:30.... how many people are out driving at that time?! A TON!
To say she was psychologically incapable of making such a decision is wrong and just trying to buy her time, at the expense of the grieving families. I understand it is the job of the defense to provide some means of defense, drinking is a disease, but it does not make an individual immune to the repercussions of the law. Especially when that decision resulted in the deaths of four individuals.
I am so distraught and saddened by these events. My job is to do my best to educate and prevent such nightmares from happening, and I only hope my drug court participants understand that. I don't give a rats ass that you drink... but I do care that when you drink then subsequently decide to get behind the wheel of a car and drive, you endanger innocent people... any of whom may be near and dear to my heart. And I have a serious problem with that.
Yes, I truly care about the addicts I work with. I want them to become better individuals and straighten out their lives. I want them to do better for themselves. But no matter what, end of the day, I care far more for my family and loved ones and hope that the impact I make on my addicts, helps protect them from such a tragedy as this.
I believe Ms Dingle is sorry for her actions, and if she had a chance, she would take it back. I don't think she intended to hurt anyone. But, her actions did. I think she needs to receive the proper sanctions and a good deal of counseling. It's a sad day.