In 2021, more than 400 Oklahomans lost their lives in car accidents related to substance abuse, the Highway Safety Office reported. On December 22 of the same year, Chandra Crutsinger became one of those victims.
“Our family has been forever altered by this tragedy,” stated Ericka Banks, Chandra’s sibling. The three sisters, Ericka, Amber and Chandra, were planning for their first-ever solo trip to Texas.
When talking about the incident, Banks said, “It was a big deal for us, and we had been eagerly anticipating it.” However, tragedy struck.
Records show that Collrett Boyd was recklessly driving on I-35 near Purcell when he lost control, ploughed through the cable barrier and crashed into the sisters’ car.
“I was simply terrified,” confessed Amber Scholl-Lee. Under the impact, Ericka was momentarily unconscious, and Chandra, just 24 years old, tragically passed away.
“There was a possibility we could have lost all three of our daughters in that crash,” commented their mother, Zona Scholl. Court documents disclosed that Boyd admitted to smoking marijuana multiple times that day, including a few hours prior to the crash. The court files also stated that “Boyd was aware that he shouldn’t be driving due to a suspended license from a previous THC possession charge.”
After recklessly driving at approximately 90mph in a 70mph zone, Boyd was brought to trial last fall and found guilty of several charges, including first-degree manslaughter and multiple DUI and drug-related counts, resulting in great bodily harm. Boyd has been sentenced to serve 47 years consecutively.
“Our suffering will persist, with our only consolation being that he won’t be able to repeat this act,” Scholl added. Now, the Scholl family has dedicated their lives to a mission born out of their tragedy.
Rob Scholl, the girls’ father, expressed, “We now strive to prevent others from experiencing a similar fate, which should help protect both our remaining daughters and everyone’s loved ones from the same tragedy.”
They, along with many other grief-stricken families, have joined the nonprofit group, Victims of Impaired Drivers (VOID), and were present at the state capitol, advocating for stricter DUI-related laws.
“Too many lives are being lost from such accidents,” declared Jeff Murrow of VOID, who also tragically lost a daughter to an impaired driver in 2020. “We are fighting for everyone’s right to return home safely,” he wrote.
There are numerous DUI-related bills of this nature under consideration this legislative session that have the support from lawmakers. Republican Representative Jon Echols from Edmond announced that three DUI-related proposals are set for a committee vote on Wednesday.
Read more – Source