A blog about Stephen

My new friend Kimmy posted a blog about Stephen and my family on her blog at Griffensgift.com:

Stephen

Last night I was happy to receive a phone call from a young woman in Florida. When I answered she told me she had just read everyone of my blogs and wanted me to know that she lost her brother. She said it angered her how Griffen had been treated. She was very supportive and encouraging. I was grateful for her call.

Her brother Stephen was on a motorcycle driving home when a 20 year old girl who was drunk pulled out in front of him and killed him. I knew her pain and hope that I was able to somehow let her know she is not alone.

Stephen just like Griffen had his whole life ahead of him. He had a beautiful smile, beautiful eyes and like Griffen I am sure had no idea that his life would end so prematurely.

It wasn't long before I received an email from her dad. He said:

In our minds, the underage drinker is the symptom; the root of the problem is the person providing the drink. Nothing will change if these people are not stopped. The driver in our case was just the person who "pulled the trigger". The person providing the alcohol "loaded the gun". Something has to be done there we need to look at where these young people are getting their alcohol
He is right. I met with some law officers today whom I believe agreed with me that the penalty is not enough for providing alcohol to minors resulting in a death. Who on earth would really be scared of a fine and maybe 30 days in jail? We need the law that other states have. It should be a Felony and up to 5 years in prison. I believe these people would think more seriously if they could face charges like that.

The person who gave the 20 year old alcohol who then killed Stephen is just as guilty as the 20 year old herself. I believe the 20 year old is facing felony DUI charges. The person who provided her with alcohol and indirectly caused the death of another human being is walking away.

I have been thinking a lot about this. In SC and even the rest of the nation there are those who get up in arms over abortion. Our lawmakers were recently pondering making a woman watch a video of her unborn child before she had an abortion hoping to save a life. I have seen signs on Woodruff Road of protesters calling women who make that choice "murderers".

I find it interesting that so many are caught up in getting kids here and yet we don't protect them when they get older. (I am getting off subject here but a lot of times we don't protect them when they are young either.)

I wonder why more in our state are not just as concerned with the deaths of our youth which is going on at an increasing and alarming rate due to underage drinking? Stephen, two youths from Greenwood, the kids from the Ocean Isle fire(except Lauren Mahon who had no alcohol in her system), Benjamin Sprague, Griffen, all would have stood a much better chance of being here if we showed we valued the lives of our youth with stricter penalties and education.

Families like Stephens would not be facing never seeing their loved ones again if SC took to task punishing those who provide alcohol to minors resulting in their deaths with more than just a slap on the wrist. After Griffen's death I spoke at length with House of Representatives member Adam Taylor. He and I went to high school together. He said and I agree that the current penalty is an insult to those who are left behind.

On March 31 there is a hearing for Andrew C. Argo I encourage all of you out there who think this is a travesty to come to Lexington and stand with our family showing Judge Rebecca Adams and everyone there that we truly do value our young people and that making choices which help cost a life is worth more than just a fine.