Document text
Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 19, 2003 MADD gives award to mother of DUII victim By JOHN DARLING for the Mail Tribune Connie Buchanan, the mother of a man killed in 1994 by drunken driver John Patrick Bush — who now faces a manslaughter charge in a second crash — has been chosen for a national award by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Buchanan was chosen as one of 13 Difference Makers for her work in schools, service clubs and victim impact panels to educate people about the impacts of drinking and driving on families. "Even with her loss," said MADD state public liaison Sandy Nelson of Medford, "she’s been fair and compassionate (to convicted offenders), telling her story and focusing non- judgmentally on the job of helping people understand and learn the tragedies that result from drunk driving." "She’s been relentless in her work to achieve the goals of MADD," said state chairman Jerry Ehlers of Medford, who nominated her for the honor. "Like all people in her position, she’s had to work through the initial bitterness and not let it get in the way of helping others understand the importance of not drinking and driving." Advertisement Buchanan’s 21-year-old son, David, died on March 27, 1994, when a Jeep driven by then 19-year-old Bush crashed on Obenchain Road in Butte Falls. At the time, Buchanan wrote a letter on Bush’s behalf to keep him out of prison. Bush was convicted of driving under the influence of intoxicants; charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide were dismissed. On Oct. 2, Bush was indicted again on charges of second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and driving under the influence for allegedly killing another friend while driving drunk. The crash occurred April 7 on Butte Falls Highway and killed Robert Andrew Baker, 29, of Butte Falls. Buchanan said she is coping with the emotional impact of the same driver being indicted in a second drunken-driving death. "It’s been a real slap in the face," said Buchanan, 54. "We hoped he’d learn from the tragedy of my son’s death and go on and have a productive life, but this is a real emotional drain and I’ve had to step back from my speaking work." Buchanan, who retired from a 27-year career of drug and alcohol counseling at the Veterans Affairs domiciliary four years ago because of multiple sclerosis, said it’s not difficult to talk to a roomful of 100 to 150 drunken-driving offenders. But she’s never been able to recount her story without crying, she added. "I can keep on track because I believe we all make mistakes and bad choices and a conviction should be a big wake-up call," said Buchanan, who delivers the talks with her husband, Don. "My job is to help them change their behavior and understand the real consequences of drunk driving — that it doesn’t just affect them, like most people think. It affects family members, friends, co-workers, everyone." Buchanan has served as treasurer of the local MADD organization for five years. In her work speaking for MADD and counseling family members as a victim advocate, Buchanan said she has learned the general public does not understand that so many people are killed and injured by drunken driving. "It’s a huge problem that is totally preventable, and I don’t know why everyone is not up in arms," she said. "It doesn’t affect them so they don’t get excited, yet every one of us knows someone who was killed or had a family member killed by a drunk driver." On the Web: [email protected] Darling is a freelance writer living in Ashland. E-mail him at [email protected]. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Absinthe Supply Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Debt Consolidation California Casinos Generic Viagra Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Hammocks Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada King of Spirits Email Security Advertisement s Advertisement