Drunk Drivers

Re “Driver Charged With Murdering 2 in Crash,” Dec. 12: My son was permanently brain-injured in a car accident nine years ago, weeks after his 23rd birthday. He was hit by a third-time drunk driver, who was convicted and sentenced to a year in jail, six months community service, mandatory attendance in Alcoholics Anonymous and a fine of $400 to be paid monthly to my son for a period of five years. This DUI driver served 42 days in jail (due to overcrowding) and was then “lost” in the system. He never paid a cent, did no community service and there is no evidence of him ever attending AA.

Whenever I read headlines about the deaths and injuries of innocent drivers and pedestrians, I expect to see this man’s name. Penalties should not be any less if there are no deaths involved with DUIs. It is historically proven that these drivers continue on until someone is killed and only then is punishment severe enough to have some effect and encourage a change.

LINDA STONE

Los Angeles