VIRGINIA BEACH
More than 40 people gathered in Virginia Beach on Thursday night for a vigil to memorialize victims of drunken driving.
Police officers from South Hampton Roads joined family members of drunken-driving victims at The Founders Inn and Spa. The indoor vigil was the 14th held by the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Southside Virginia chapter.
“I didn’t come (to the vigil) for a long time because I couldn’t do it, emotionally I couldn’t do it,” said Kaye Walsh of Virginia Beach, whose only daughter, Robin Gustafson, was killed by a drunken driver in 1997.
She said it was especially important during the holidays to remind the public about the dangers of drunken driving.
“If they choose to drink and drive they could add another name to the list, and it’s already too long,” said Walsh, who is the vice chair of MADD's state chapter.
Members of MADD read the names of about 80 people from Hampton Roads who were killed by drunken drivers.
MADD is also starting its annual red ribbon campaign, passing out ribbons to increase public awareness of the dangers of drunken driving, said Michael Goodove, the president of the Southside Virginia chapter.
“Every year there are nearly 13,000 people killed by a drunk driver with BAC of .08 or above,” he said. “We pledge our support to the victims, both present and unfortunately future, of the impaired drivers.”
Police officers from Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth and Suffolk were among those who joined the vigil.
Patrick Wilson, (757) 446-2957, patrick.wilson@pilotonline.com
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