DUI victim's mother raises awareness at MacDill

by Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Gonterman
6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs

12/19/2014 - MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla -- Renee Napier, motivational speaker and mother of driving under the influence victim, Meagan Napier, spoke to members of Team MacDill about the severe consequences and ripple effects driving while under the influence causes Dec. 18, 2014 at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

On May 11, 2002, Meagan, 22, and her friend Lisa Jo Dickson, 22, were killed by a drunk driver, Eric Smallridge, 24, as they headed home. Shortly after, Renee made it her life's mission to share Meagan's story with as many people as possible in hopes of preventing more unnecessary deaths like that of her daughter.

"I never would have imagined that I would spend my Mother's Day with all four of my children at a funeral home with one in a coffin," expressed Renee.

During her compelling story she talked about the dangers of DUI and the emotional roller coaster her and her family bore through their journey of healing and forgiveness.

"The day of Eric's sentencing there were two good things that happened that day in the courtroom," said Renee. "I was able to look Eric in his eyes and say "I forgive you" and he was able to stand and publicly apologize to our families."

Since April 2010, Renee has been accompanied by Smallridge who tells his story of how his life drastically changed and the impact of his one selfish decision.

"A decision can be so dramatic that you graduate from college in April and in July you go to prison," stated Smallridge. "My decision to drink and drive cost me everything that I have ever hoped and dreamed of."

Smallridge made it clear to the audience that no matter what the circumstances, regardless of the justification you try to convenience yourself of, driving under the influence should never be an option. He said that asking a sober friend or taking a taxi is a much better decision than ending up killing someone and being renamed Inmate P22679.

Renee and Smallridge concluded by asking everyone to make the DUI promise "I promise not to drive under the influence!" as well as, to share this story with their own family, friends and co-workers and encourage them to make the promise.