There are a million stories like this one, but why not add one more?  Couldn't hurt!

I know this couple.  It's actually hard to describe them, because they are so dynamic...but I will try.  I'll call them John and Jane.

First off, they both look like movie stars-- perfect teeth, skin, everything.  At the same time, they are the most charming and likeable young couple you could ever meet.  "Jane" comes from money, but she is very humble and volunteers in soup kitchens and every other thing she can. 

They met in a very prestigious law school in Michigan and fell in love.  It was shortly after graduation that John put a ring on Jane's finger.  I remember when they announced it.  They both had ear to ear grins and she was absolutely glowing.

Like I said, they had the world by the butt.  Their future looked very bright.

On that fateful night, she had attended some type of event.  I don't remember what it was.  Probably a fund raiser, if I know her.  She had a little bit of wine that night, but she felt that she was "good enough" to drive.

At some point on her drive home, Jane dozed off and slammed into another vehicle.  She killed a father of four instantly upon impact.  Thankfully, he was the only person in the car that she hit.

Just like that, in an instant, she became a criminal and many lives were ruined.  Jane is sitting in prison right now.  She will never become a lawyer, because the state bar associations generally don't accept people with negligent homicide convictions.  In fact, when she gets out in roughly eight years, she really won't be able to get any decent job, when applying as a murdering felon.  She really did ruin her life.  All of her dreams are now squashed.

She ruined the future she and John had envisioned for themselves.  They have ended their relationship.

Most importantly though, she ruined the lives of everyone that was close to the man that she killed.  His widow, his four children, his mother and father...all of their lives have been altered permanently.

What is so messed up about this whole thing was that she was-- at most-- a $20 cab ride from home.  In just about any city in America, you can get a cab within ten minutes.  If she would have just called a cab, she would be picking out wedding dresses right now.  Instead she's eating prison food and working in the laundry.

And it was just one tiny, little mistake.  It's not worth it.  Please consider using a cab if you've had a few.  Sure, the next day you are going to walk outside and freak out when you think that somebody stole your car; and you'll also need to somehow get back to your vehicle...but it's totally worth avoiding prison, I would think.

~Michael George