logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinion
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinion
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Drunk driving is not an accident, it’s a choice
News
June 1, 2023
Drunk driving is not an accident, it’s a choice
By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER

Organizations remind drivers to think before they drink

A press conference was held Thursday, May 25 to educate and remind drivers and boaters to think before they get behind a wheel.

Neighbors Building Neighborhoods, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Marine Enforcement, McIntosh County Coalition for a Healthy Community, Sheriff ’s Department, Eufaula Police, Checotah Police, AAA and Padford were all in attendance.

Scott Welch, Neighbors Building Neighborhoods kicked off the program held at Xtreme Marina. The Community Based Prevention program is funded by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Prevention Division.

Welch is the specialist for McIntosh and Pittsburg Counties.

Their organization is teaming up with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Eufaula Police Department and Checotah Police Department to remind everyone that “buzzed driving” is still drunk driving.

Rylie Mansuetti, Manager Public Relations and Government Affairs for AAA OK spoke to lend their support to the event and remind drivers that impaired driving and boating is deadly, illegal and 100 percent preventable.

As AAA predicted near record travels over this summer season, organizations wanted to make people think before they get behind the wheel.

Mansuetti reminded listeners that impaired driving poses a serious threat to drivers and boaters, whether by legal prescription, alcohol or illegal drugs.

While AAA reported 94% drivers disapprove of being drunk or impaired, 6% still admit to doing so in the past 30 days.

She reported that prescription drugs pose an equal threat to alcohol and that everyone should read the warning labels and never mix drugs and alcohol.

“Alcohol and impaired driving are 100% avoidable,” Mansuetti said.

Trooper Ryan Williams with the Marine Enforcement Division of the Lake Patrol stated that all available troopers would be on the water to perform life jacket checks and to remind boaters to be not only responsible for themselves, but for others.

“Hold each other accountable. Don’t drink and get behind the wheel of a boat,” Williams said.

Of course, nothing hits home like hearing the story of a life that was lost way too young.

That was the case when Penny Gooch took the microphone and showed photos and newspaper clippings from the tragedy that took the life of her twin sister.

Gooch knows all too well the impact of drunk driving and the loss that is still felt years later.

Eighteen years ago, Gooch lost her twin sister, Paula Neito Terry, when she was hit by a drunk driver. Gooch and her sister were weeks away from graduating from Northeastern State University when their dreams fell short because of someone else’s poor decision.

When the drunk driver veered into Paula’s oncoming car at 8:33 p.m. on March 29, 1993, in Grove, dreams ended for all who were affected. Paula hit her brakes and skidded for 99 feet to the point of impact. However, the driver rode over her vehicle from the front headlights to the rear headlights and shoved her vehicle back 48 feet.

Paula had to be cut out of the wreckage and didn’t survive.

“I couldn’t be there when she died,” Gooch said.

“The last day we spent together was beautiful. We said goodbye laughing. I want to remember her that way,” Gooch said.

When the driver woke up eight days later, he was told he killed a 23-yearold woman.

“Going back to school without her was hard, but I knew I had to do it,” Gooch said.

“I sat in a seat where my sister normally sat next to me. I grabbed a hand that wasn’t there and said ‘Okay, Paula, let’s do this,”Gooch said.

She went on to remind listeners that the days from the start of Memorial Day to the end of Labor Day are 100 of the most deadly days of summer for the ages of 16-24.

Trooper Eric Foster with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reminded the crowd gathered that there are thousands and thousands of people impacted by the choices made daily.

“We no longer call it an accident. When someone makes a choice to drive impaired, it affects lots and lots of lives,” Foster said. Foster reminded drivers to be cognizant before they get behind the wheel of any vehicle or vessel.

Penny Gooch is part of Victims’ Voices, which is a victim’s impact panel service devoted to drunk driving prevention.

The program brings a panel of speakers to share the tragedies that have created profound loss in order to impact communities and encourage people to make life-saving choices. Victims’ Voices also offers victims impact panel programs on a regular basis for court ordered DUI offenders.

Checotah lit up the sky this 4th of July
A: Main, News...
Checotah lit up the sky this 4th of July
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
July 10, 2025
The City of Checotah showed off its bold stripes, bright stars and brave hearts this Fourth of July after working countless hours so residents could celebrate their freedom with lots of family fun and...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Sexual Assault Awareness Honor Walk
July 10, 2025
Friday, July 11 at 12 p.m. Posey Park, Eufaula Show your support for survivors Take a stand against violence! Muscogee (Creek) Nation Center for Victim Services
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Annual Memorial Service planned at Honey Springs Battlefield
July 10, 2025
CHECOTAH — Honey Springs Battlefield will hold its annual memorial service on Saturday, July 19, at 10:30 a.m. to honor the 162nd anniversary of the Battle of Honey Springs near Checotah. The service ...
this is a test
Farewell to Checotah’s friend, Jerri Reaves
A: Main, News...
Farewell to Checotah’s friend, Jerri Reaves
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
July 10, 2025
Last Thursday family and friends said goodbye to former city councilwoman Jerri Reaves who had passed away on June 26 at the age of 82. Jerri graduated from Checotah High School in 1962. In 1980, she ...
this is a test
News
Trump administration freezes over $70 million state’s education funds
By NURIA MARTINEZ-KEEL OKLAHOMA VOICE 
July 10, 2025
States won’t receive funds from six federal programs, including after-school care and English learner support, until further notice. OKLAHOMA CITY — The Trump administration is indefinitely withholdin...
this is a test
News
Jeff Starling launches campaign for attorney general
July 10, 2025
TULSA ––Jeff Starling, Oklahoma’s Secretary of Energy and Environment, has officially announced his candidacy for Attorney General of Oklahoma. Starling is a conservative, attorney, businessman, and d...
this is a test
United for Oklahoma
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Plumb Theatre News
News
Plumb Theatre News
By MATTIE AND PAUL MALOY PLUMB THEATRE 
July 10, 2025
Never too early to start singing and the HALLELUJAH HONEYS are representative of that. Kate Andrews will be singing and playing with two other Honeys, Aubree,13, and Charlee, 10. They are some cuties ...
this is a test
Freedom Fest
News
Freedom Fest
July 10, 2025
Checotah residents celebrated their freedom with lots of family fun and fireworks on July 4th weekend at Freedom Fest.
this is a test
Police training
News
Police training
July 10, 2025
Recently local law enforcement trained for two days on different scenarios that might arise during traffic stops, hostage situations, domestic disturbances, and more.
this is a test
News
Two from area on UCO Honor Rolls
July 10, 2025
EDMOND - Two from this area have made he University of Central Oklahoma recently announced the students named to the university’s honor rolls; a distinction given to those who achieve the highest acad...
this is a test
Warriors of God, ready yourselves
commentary
Warriors of God, ready yourselves
July 10, 2025
Of my 56 years of being in this world, 50 of those years I have been filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. I was only six years old when I attended my first Tiger Mount...
this is a test
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

MCINTOSH COUNTY DEMOCRAT
300-A S. Broadway
Checotah, OK
74426

(918) 473-2313

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Mcintosh Democrat

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy