On Sunday, June 8th, around 4:30 PM, our son and his girlfriend faced a life-altering event that no family should ever experience. They were struck by a drunk driver. The impact was devastating: their car was totaled, and both of them suffered injuries that will require months of physical, occupational, and mental health therapies.

To make matters worse, the responsible driver attempted to evade accountability. He fled the scene of the accident, stopping only to take pictures of his own vehicle, before choosing to drive again under the influence. He was eventually found and arrested at a bar, yet shockingly, he was released before 8:00 PM that same night.

This incident highlights a critical issue in Cowlitz County and the urgent need for legal reforms and stricter enforcement against drunk driving. Accidents involving alcohol-impaired drivers are entirely preventable, yet they continue to cause significant harm, disrupting lives and communities.

In 2019 alone, 28 people were killed every day in the United States in drunk-driving crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That's one person every 52 minutes. Furthermore, the statistics show that repeat offenders are a severe problem, with nearly one-third of all drivers arrested or convicted of drunk driving being repeat offenders.

Cowlitz County must take immediate and stringent actions to prevent such incidents and ensure justice for victims like our children. Implementing measures such as mandatory jail time for hit-and-run incidents, compulsory rehabilitation programs for offenders, use of ignition interlock devices, and ensuring that offenders are held until fully sober can make a significant difference.

We ask the local authorities and lawmakers to commit to creating safer roads by holding drunk drivers accountable through stricter penalties and more robust preventive measures. Together, we can work towards a future where no parent or loved one has to suffer the anguish of seeing their child injured or worse, due to the reckless actions of a drunk driver.

Join us in demanding action from Cowlitz County officials and let them know that enough is enough. Let’s create safer roads and stronger enforcement of laws together. Please sign this petition to bring about change.