Episode 54:Driving Under the Influence: Surviving Family Member, Prevention Advocate
Description: A personal story of losing a loved one to a DUI offender nearly 14 years ago, the lasting impacts of that loss, about the court process, what more can be done to prevent DUI crashes and deaths and what is being done to help victims and prevent more DUI tragedies.
Show Notes: Guests Cody Spaeth and Lead Deputy District Attorney Gregory Hayes introduce themselves. Deputy DA Hayes explains his current role related to DUI cases and the DUI/DUID prosecution and Education Outreach program. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Cody begins the discussion by sharing her personal story – starting with what her family was like prior to April 2009, who her father Stan was, what he was like and what Cody remembers most about him. She then talks through the night her father was killed by an already four-time repeat DUI offender. Cody shares how the crash happened, what happened to her father and the traumatic way she and her mother found out that her father was killed by a DUI driver.
Cody explains what happened in the criminal case against the DUI offender and her experience going through the court process starting when she was just 14 years old. Deputy DA Greg Hayes then explains current DUI laws as well as available victim support services and victims’ rights advocacy.
Since undergoing those very traumatic experiences, Cody now speaks to high school students and DUI offender classes to educate and prevent more victims and their families from experiencing the same tragedy.
DDA Hayes and shares information about the many DUI prevention efforts being made by the DA’s Office, including a number of programs for high school students as well as programs for adults.
Cody closes the discussion by talking about the lasting impact her father’s death has had on her and her family– how it led her to her current profession, helping other victims and speaking to the public about how every life matters.
RESOURCES:
https://www.arrivealiveca.com/
https://www.sacda.org/in-the-community/community-programs/
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Tags – Justice Journal Podcast, Driving Under the Influence, DUI, DUID, MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving