Dear Friend’s Death on Traffic Island

I am the mother of an almost 9-year-old daughter, a child who has been forced to leave her innocence behind and face the gruesome and senseless death of her dear friend Brianna Cramer.

Ours is a very safe neighborhood in general. The turn by the traffic island at the top of Canada Blvd. is not terribly difficult to negotiate under normal circumstances. But on the evening of July 13 an alleged drunk driver, traveling at an excessive speed, mowed down our friends while failing altogether to make that turn.

I believe that William Conway’s responsibility for the deaths of Patricia and Caren Carr and Valerie and Brianna Cramer began when he decided to drive his car while intoxicated. No one forced him to diminish his capacity by consuming alcohol and then to attempt to drive a car. It was his choice alone. I believe that Conway’s lack of intent to kill is precluded by this series of decisions. I am outraged to think of this crime as anything but murder. Conway should be forced, by our laws and by our society, to take responsibility for his actions and all of the consequences, including the brutal murders of four vital, young persons whose lives lay ahead with promise.

I wish that William Conway had had to be the one to tell my daughter that Brianna and the others are dead.

TRACY WEED

Glendale