DUI victims help launch safe-driving campaign

Julia Bennett Staff Writer | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 8 months AGO

JULIA BENNETT/Press Patricia Allen, the mother of Ryan Allen, who was killed in a drunk-driving accident in March, speaks at the North Idaho DUI Task Force news conference on Thursday at the Idaho State Police District I office.

The North Idaho DUI Task Force kicked off its safe-driving campaign Thursday at the Idaho State Police’s District 1 office in Coeur d’Alene. District 1 comprises Idaho’s five northernmost counties.

Statistics from the Idaho Transportation Department show an increase of traffic fatalities during the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day — the deadliest days for driving.

Patricia Allen of Cocolalla helped launch this year’s campaign. Her son, Ryan, 38, was killed in a drunk-driving accident at the intersection of Boekel Road and U.S. 95 in March. Patricia, her husband, Vern, and son Troy survived the crash.

“[Ryan] loved life; and it shouldn’t have been taken away from him because someone chose poorly to hit us, roll us and take his life,” Patricia Allen said.

Ellen Brown, of Coeur d’Alene, and Joelle Tanguay, of Tumwater, Wash., a mother and daughter who suffered severe injuries after their vehicle was struck by a drunk driver in July, also attended the news conference to tell their story and support the safe-driving initiative.

Brown has mostly recovered since the accident but still must use a cane to walk. Tanguay, who was riding in the side of the vehicle the drunk driver hit, injured her head and spine and must use a wheelchair for the rest of her life. Her mother spoke to the audience, but Tanguay, whose vocal cords are paralyzed, can only speak periodically and was unable to during the news conference.

Eleven people in District 1 lost their lives in accidents during the 100 deadliest days in 2017, Idaho State Police Capt. John Kempf said. Fatalities decreased 28 percent last year as law enforcement officers stepped up patrols.

Statewide, Idaho motorists were involved in 245 fatalities in 2018. Of those, 102 fatalities happened between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Idaho Transportation Department public information specialist Bill Kotowski said.

Kempf said the North Idaho DUI Task Force wants to decrease fatalities even more this summer.

During the Fourth of July holiday, a state police team from Boise will be joining the Task Force in District 1. Twenty officers are scheduled to be on patrol to help stop drunk drivers.

First-time offenders face a misdemeanor violation, up to six months in jail, up to a $1,000 fine and a suspended drivers license.