OH - Bethany Griffin, 36, & 4 kids killed by drunk driver, Toledo, 30 Dec 2007

[Bobbisangel]

At this point it doesn't really matter how often he drank or how much or anything else. A judge isn't going to take anything into consideration except that he made the choice to drink...no one forced him...and then he got into a vehicle and drove. He killed five people and that is the bottom line. I hope that he gets a good number of years so he has a lot of time to think about where drunk driving gets a person...where drinking can get a person and about all of the children that died in that tragedy. Maybe he should have to carry a picture of all of the children and their mother after he gets out of prison as a constant reminder of the lives lost as a result of his heavy drinking that night. A judge should make him carry the picture in his wallet and everytime he opens it he will see them. Maybe that would keep him sober. I guess it all depends upon the kind of person that he is.

 

[Bobbisangel]

I don't think the correct my space is posted. The Myspace posted shows it was accessed today. The guys don't look alike - the myspace guy has a receding hairline and the guy in front of the judge does not.

Isn't that same picture that is supposed to be this guy and some other guy also on Samuel's MySpace pictures? I think it is just a bad picture of this guy.

 

[Mygirlsadie]

I am pretty sure we are looking at the wrong Michael's myspace page. I hope nobody sent him any horrible messages. Anyway here is another myspace page I found for the victims. http://www.myspace.com/bhjlv

 

[JanetElaine]

Dad left the hospital today and the 8 year old girl's condition is upgraded to serious.

http://www.newsnet5.com/news/14965029/detail.html

 

[philamena]

Well of COURSE he blacked out,, isn't that what happens when you drink too much??? How does blacking out and not blacking out make any difference? You have no conscious control over your actions when you are THAT wasted, that's all that matters. WHICH IS EXACTLY WHY we must have more controls over drunk people

:clap: :clap: :clap:
Excellent post reb.

 

[Mygirlsadie]

I have been reading through family and friends websites for Bethany and the children and they are asking for prayers to Michael as well. They are hurt that people are emailing them nasty comments about Michael (the Drunk Driver). I am going to leave this whole thing alone now and let it be. I for one don't want to be responsible for adding anymore pain to this family.

 

[Beffie]

Dad inspects van when released from hospital looking for closure
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080103/NEWS02/801030432

This whole thing is just so sad. When are people going to wake up and realize drinking and driving is so dangerous. I can only hope that news of this terrible accident stopped many people from even thinking of driving drunk New Years Eve. I am just so sad for all involved, even the drunk driver. In the article it says he is on suicide watch. I could not imagine the guilt that he is feeling. I hope he decides to speak out about drunk driving and hopefully encourage young adults to NEVER drink and drive. He was probably just another young man who thought it could never happen to him. My heart is just broken and I never layed eyes on any of these people (in person). My thoughts and prayers are with all of them. Bethany just seemed so happy with the birth of her baby and with the man of her dreams. Just so unnecessary.

I know everything happens for a reason and I hope this terrible story wakes alot of people up to the dangers of drinking and driving and hopefully alot of lives will be saved. I am probably dreaming, but wouldn't that be a wonderful memory for the family.

 

[nanandjim]

Well of COURSE he blacked out...

I'm assuming that you haven't spoken to him. If not, we don't know if this guy blacked out or not. He may have a tolerance to alcohol. Wasn't he seen babbling on his cell phone right after the accident. I'm assuming that he was coherent enough to make a call to someone.

How does blacking out and not blacking out make any difference?

It doesn't matter. Posters were just making a comment.

...we must have more controls over drunk people...

This is stating the obvious. If it were possible to babysit drunk people 24-7, drunk driving would be virtually non-existent.

...He didn't intend to murder anyone, but after you've had a few close calls and you keep doing it?...

Apparently so. Unfortunately, he's not the first; and he won't be the last to cause such a tragedy. I think that part of this guy's sentence should be to go to high schools and colleges and talk about this accident showing photos from it. I really think that young people don't think that it will happen to them.

<Those Myspace photos are typical of a young person's photos.>

I see that you are quoting my post. I'm not numb to it. I actually think that Myspace is ridiculous. It allows young people to act out and show their worst sides. It's almost like a one upmanship to see whose bad behavior can top the other. I have read my niece's and nephew's Myspace accounts (before they made them private). It is shocking and disgusting how these young teens conduct themselves. I wonder if they are even being monitored by their parents.

 

[Nocgirl]

Is the bar that served this guy still open for business? I would be suprised if they were given there are probably going to be facing alot of legal questions on why this guy was served so much alcohol.

 

[dee10134]

Throw the key away...never let that guy out....

Chicago had one early this morning, 9 ppl involved 4 kids..
Looking for link...

http://cbs2chicago.com/local/crash.near.south.2.621081.html

That link references absolutely NOTHING about drunken driving being a factor in any of the four cars' collisions at that intersection... :waitasec:

 

[Hopeful One]

This whole thing is just so sad. When are people going to wake up and realize drinking and driving is so dangerous. I can only hope that news of this terrible accident stopped many people from even thinking of driving drunk New Years Eve.

I agree. People just don't take it seriously. That's the bottom line. I've heard so many people who think it's FUNNY when they have gotten away with drunk driving. Why is that funny???????? You could have killed someone!!!!!

I don't know if they don't think it can/will happen to them or what. I wish we could find a way to get people to just STOP doing it.

 

[dee10134]

what disgusting idiots. on both pages, every single picture they are boozing it up, beers in hand, partying, doing beer bongs, acting like fools, etc. etc. etc... i am so sick to death of this alcohol-addicted youth culture. yeah, 'don't take life too seriously. no one gets out alive'-- except your dumb drunk brother--- unfortunately.

There's nothing wrong with drinking IF you do it RESPONSIBLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All it takes is ONE incident of bad judgment to ruin not only YOUR life, but also quite possibly the lives of others!!!

I pray for the families involved and for those that died, and that God will forgive Michael Gagnon for the incredibly stupid choice he made that resulted in the deaths of such beautiful people.

 

[Hopeful One]

There's nothing wrong with drinking IF you do it RESPONSIBLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All it takes is ONE incident of bad judgment to ruin not only YOUR life, but also quite possibly the lives of others!!!

I pray for the families involved and for those that died, and that God will forgive Michael Gagnon for the incredibly stupid choice he made that resulted in the deaths of such beautiful people.

I agree. That's what makes it so sad, is this guy obviously didn't set out to kill anyone. It was a horrible accident. But again, he needs to be held responsible for his bad decisions. That's life.

I'm sure God will forgive him. If he is truly sorry and wants to be forgiven, he will.

 

[southcitymom]

There's nothing wrong with drinking IF you do it RESPONSIBLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All it takes is ONE incident of bad judgment to ruin not only YOUR life, but also quite possibly the lives of others!!!

I pray for the families involved and for those that died, and that God will forgive Michael Gagnon for the incredibly stupid choice he made that resulted in the deaths of such beautiful people.

I agree with you Dee. But I did want to point out that this man apparently had some previous DUIs that were dropped, so - in the drinking and driving arena - chances are he made bad decisions more than once!

 

[colomom]

Here's another discussion:
http://forums.freep.com/viewtopic.php?t=71128

from this:
'Channel 4 just reported that the perp had "MULTIPLE" DUI arrests in Michigan.' Hmmmm, no big surprise, huh? AND-- get this-- that's right, they were DISMISSED. Somebody has got some SERIOUS EXPLAINING to do. I would love to see some stricter laws passed after this.

I would really like to see some sort of evidence of the "multiple DUI arrests" because this latest article states:

"Mr. Gagnon's driving record with the Michigan secretary of state's office shows that he had a valid license with no points at the time of the crash. His license has been suspended twice — once in 2002 for a registration or plate violation, and in May for no proof of insurance. It was reinstated in October.

Mr. Gagnon also has two speeding tickets on his record and a charge of being a minor in possession of alcohol."

From: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080103/NEWS02/801030432

I am thinking there may be some mis-information here...just an FYI.

 

[reb]

Well, like I said, that was from a forum where someone said they got it from the news.... it may or not be true... I guess in time it will all come out. My apologies if this is misinformation.

 

[Saffron]

This story is just so sad. It's been on my mind all day. The picture of that cute, cute baby in her little Christmas pajamas was too much to bear. My heart goes out to all the families and friends involved. I can't imagine their grief.

 

[philamena]

I can't imagine that the dad/husband and surviving children will heal from this.

 

[reb]

For the record... this was not an "accident". An accident is something that happens that was unintended, when you least expect it. Getting wasted all night and then getting behind the wheel and driving at full speed down the wrong side of the highway.. especially after previous brushes with the law (whatever they were)... that was NO "accident".

 

[reb]

yet another intense debate going on:
http://swampbubbles.com/five-dead-1-280-michael-gagnon-adrian-michigan-responsible#comment-17264

BTW... I had been thinking that the Michael G. on MySpace must have been a relative of the murderer Michael G... and sure enough, that's it. It looks like someone on the above forum has solved mystery for us.. The MySpace MG is apparently the killer's cousin, who also OWNS the Rodeo Bar & Grill... they just happen to have the same name.