Isn't self punishment enough?
By wonttakelong
@wonttakelong (3555)
United States
November 6, 2009 1:25pm CST
A couple of days ago my town experienced a terrible tragedy. 4 teenage boys were in a tragic car accident that resulted in one of the boys loosing his life and 2 others are still in critical condition. The one that did not need medical attention held the lifeless body of his friend until the ambulance arrived on scene.
The driver who is still in critical condition is fighting for his own life. He does not yet know that his friend was killed. When he does find out he will have to deal with his own brand of emotional torment and guilt. Knowing that you killed one of your best friends is the worst thing I can imagine. But, the law feels differently! As soon as the driver is released from the hospital he will be facing criminal charges of vehicular manslaughter. Now I understand this boy was in the wrong for driving without a license and he was very wrong for doing the speed that he was but are criminal charges really necessary? This is a small town where everyone knows everyone and the families of these boys are already in enough anguish. The parents of the boy that was killed are not angry at the other boy and dont want charges pressed. They only want to heal from this and move on.
Do you think the police should press charges on the driver even though the parents of the deceased dont want them to?
Isnt the guilt of being responsible for your friends death enough punishment for a 15 year old boy?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@charblaize (1026)
• United States
6 Nov 09
I know this young boy will now forever have his life changed. I know he will always have this on his chest for the rest of his life. Though, the courts have to do their duty and who knows what will happen then. They may charge him, go to trial, or if the family refuses to press charges they may do something leninent, just out of everyones hands once its in the system.
Where all these boys underage?
I really for the family, boys, and community and wish them all well.
@charblaize (1026)
• United States
6 Nov 09
i bet he is having some emotional regrets now also..:(( He should have been driving, yes, but we all know boys...thinking they are inviscible and superman. They have their reasons for doing what they did/done and now living with the consquences which is a shame.
1 person likes this
@wonttakelong (3555)
• United States
6 Nov 09
the boy that was killed and the two that are still in the hospital were/are teenagers
the one that wasnt injured was in his 20s and has a license
HE should have been driving
HE should have known better!
@rmorefield (941)
• United States
6 Nov 09
Bottom line is, the law is the law. This boy broke the law. I don't think that we should take pity on him. He's the one who made the conscious decision to get behind the wheel of a car without a license and put the lives of his friends in danger by driving too fast.
1 person likes this
@wonttakelong (3555)
• United States
6 Nov 09
I do understand that
however all three of the passengers made a conscious decision to get into the vehicle knowing their friend didnt have a license
none of them tried to stop the unlicensed driver from driving so arent they all negligent and therefore accessories to the same crime?
@rmorefield (941)
• United States
6 Nov 09
They are all responsible for their own actions. I never said that the other boys shouldn't be held accountable. No one should pick favorites and say "well, I know this boy so he shouldn't be punished". If it were a total stranger, then people would be saying differently. That is the beauty of our judicial system. In a case like this one where it is a small town and everyone knows everyone, chances are that a judge will be brought in from the outside to oversee the case. And no, I don't think that he should get the maximum sentence. I just think that he should be held accountable just like anyone else would.
1 person likes this
@elmiko (6630)
• United States
7 Nov 09
its good to know that the family isn't angry at the other boy and are not out for revenge. the anger alone that someone could possibly get of such a tragic accident can be very tormenting. you have a good heart. i wish the best for everyone involved in such a bad event.
1 person likes this
@paleorainy (630)
• Italy
6 Nov 09
Well, you said it, it's a small town, his life won't be easy anyways, if not for the remorse, just for all the people knowing him and pointing him as a killer.
But he's just 15 so I think at the most he'll have social services involved, no jail or anything. I guess he'll go away as soon as he'll be 18, I think he'll feel like he needs to escape.
@wonttakelong (3555)
• United States
6 Nov 09
no one in town is angry at the boy
no one is judging him
we care about ALL the boys that were involved and just want to heal as a community.
