I am outraged at the sentence recently handed down by Judge Peter Lynch to Jack Frazier. Mr. Frazier, who was already on parole, had at least three prior offenses, and fled from police during his arrest, was sentenced to five years' probation for felony DWI and reckless endangerment.
It is my belief that this is not the way to deter drunken driving. Everyone, including Judge Lynch, should view DWI as a horrific crime and, therefore, that perpetrators should be penalized. Since being on parole obviously didn't discourage this offender from committing another offense, probation will be of no consequence either.
Ten years ago, our grandson was 16 when he was killed by a hit-and-run drunken driver who had five prior DWI-related convictions yet still held a valid driver's license. He had not been required to have an ignition interlock device on his vehicle nor had he been incarcerated for previous convictions. At that time, I referred to "the system" as being broken. After reading about this current case, it's obvious that the system continues to be broken.
What will it take for wiser heads to prevail, for the system to function as it should?
Our family and friends have attempted to react to our grandson's tragic death in positive ways. Scholarships are awarded in his memory annually; his mother has spoken many times at school assemblies in an effort to promote good decision-making and safe driving; and, every year on his birthday, we ring the Salvation Army bells. We also worked successfully to have a state law passed making "leaving the scene" the same level felony as is DWI, and we have supported the passage of laws requiring ignition interlock devices for repeat offenders.
The bottom line is we lost a beloved family member, and he had his life taken in an incident that should never have occurred.
There is just so much that one, or a small group of individuals, can do. We have to rely on all branches of government to do their part in removing this scourge.
The judge's edict in the case of Mr. Frazier certainly indicates that the system continues to be broken and DWI continues to be tolerated.
I encourage concerned individuals to make it known that Judge Lynch's sentencing is unconscionable, unacceptable and downright wrong. Until others express outrage over such incidents, the system will remain broken and law-abiding citizens will continue to be the victims.