|
|
I just got a very disturbing email from my friend....(about drunk driving) LONG
As some of you may have heard on news stations or in the newspaper, or by word of mouth, one of WSYR Radio's own, one of my best friends, was killed this weekend in a drunk driving crash. Bill Leaf was killed by a 22 year old Saint Lawrence County man who had two previous convictions -- one for DWI, another for drug possession. He didn't have a license but still got drunk, got behind the wheel of a car, sped down the WRONG side of Interstate 81, and crashed head on into my beloved Bill Leaf, just a mile from my apartment. My friend didn't have a chance. He was killed instantly, his car... unrecognizable. Of course, the suspect walked away unscathed.
I was lucky enough to have Bill in my life, and truly grateful to have endless memories with him. We did so many things together, had so many inside jokes, shared so many conversations, did so many crazy things. I had the priviledge of spending endless hours with him, and I knew when he was alive how special he was. In situations like this, victim's friends and relatives often reflect on how great the person who passed was. It never does them justice, and I know I won't be able to explain his uniqueness and beauty in a simple e-mail. Many people know Bill as a jokester, as someone who always wanted to make you laugh. I know him as a deeply kind person who was a sports fanatic, and only did news broadcasting so he could stay in Syracuse to take care of his terminally ill father. This young man was forced into being the provider of the house, and every day after work would fill out power of attorney documents, medicaid bills, and all of the things a 25 year old who recently graduated college shouldn't be doing. He stayed with his hospitalized father every night and weekend. He was one of the most kind and genuine people I have ever met. He was wise beyond his years and had the weight of the world on him.
It's very difficult to say goodbye to someone so young and talented. It's also so rare that you meet someone who is kind to the core. Since I cover these types of stories so much, I know that people don't usually think twice about a tragic DWI accident. People hear the news and then go about their daily lives. But as I look around the newsroom at people who are unable to function because of this one drunk drivers acts, I am truly saddened and reflective. I'm still half waiting for him to come flying into the newsroom, saying, "Hey Cov!"
You may wonder why I would send such an e-mail about a man who many of you haven't met. But I feel strongly that we should use this tragic act to try and make a difference. All I ask is that you continually spread the word of how dangerous these types of situations are. Can we finally, as a whole, spread the message that this behavior is intolerable, despicable, and entirey preventable? I interview too many families who have lost loved ones in drunk driving crashes, and now I am the one who is being asked to be interviewed. Now *I* am a victim, and so are my friends. These senseless, conscious acts of depraved indifference must end. What this man did was no accident. Can we please spread the word and try and prevent future drunk driving crashes? Please remind people close to you how much you care about them, and how nothing good can come out of drinking and getting behind the wheel. It's such a simple concept, yet it happens over and over and over again. I know a lot of you are also young like Bill was, and I just want you to remember this story next time you drink, and next time you see someone else drink. Lives have been devastated, and it CAN happen to you.
I've included some links to sites that are setting up memorials.
http://www.9wsyr.com/mediacenter/?videoid=91737
http://2005.570wsyr.com/pages/local.html?feed=119665&article=375002
|
