Avoidable Tragedy Claims the Lives of Young Couple

History is interesting to look at because it can teach us about decisions that were good and ones that weren’t so good. The whole goal is so we can learn from the past to help make the most of the future.  

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But in 2024, it’s such a shame that there are still people out there who haven’t learned from the history of the poor decisions to drink and drive. 

I came across a story out of Utah where a young couple who had gotten engaged in December were killed last weekend along with another motorcyclist when they were struck by a tractor trailer that was driven by a man who has been arrested for being under the suspicion of driving while impaired.  

Law Enforcement Investigators say the truck crossed an unprotected median and drove into the path of the oncoming motorcycles.  

22-year-old Owen and 21-year-old Athena were said to be each other's soul mates, and they had their whole lives ahead of them. Each of them loved adventures and enjoyed experiencing those adventures together.  

Now all that is left is three broken families who will never be the same, all because of someone’s poor decision. And not to mention the driver's family will be adversely affected by this situation as well.  

I’m fully aware that the driver is considered innocent until proven guilty, but there was apparently enough evidence at the scene to think this driver was to be to blame in some capacity.  

Let’s be honest, getting from one place to the next each day can be tricky in the most perfect of conditions, why would you add slowing your reaction time down with something because you think you can handle it.  

It is easier now than it’s ever been to be able to get a ride if you’ve had too much to drink. That’s a decision that should be made once you decide you’re going to drink enough and cross that threshold and not even have to try to determine whether you’ve had too much later. 

Sadly, the results of this past weekend can’t be changed in Utah. But here in Minnesota, future outcomes can be affected if you commit to making the decision not to take the unnecessary risk of drinking and driving.