The Drunk Driver

by Ashley Colter
(Warrenton, VA)

My name is Ashley Colter. On November 11th 2007, I made the decision to Drink and Drive. As a result of that decision, I took the life of a beautiful young woman named Hannah Leigh Boyd and severely injured a young man named Ryan Tavenner. I was convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter and served one year in the Virginia Department of Corrections. No, one year is not enough for taking the life of another human being. But what is enough? Nothing. Nothing will ever be enough, because nothing will ever bring that life back. Believe me, if I could bring Hannah back, I would. If I could trade places with her, I would. If I could spend the rest of my life in prison, so that she could live, I would do it in a heart beat. But I can't and that is what kills me the most. I can't change what I have done. I have to live with this for the rest of my life. All I can do is take responsibility for what I have done and hope to prevent this from happening in the future. I did not know Hannah. That night was the first time I had ever seen her face and now I will forever see her face in my mind. Her beautiful smile is in my dreams every night. But my pain could not be compared to her loved one's pain. I could not even imagine how unbearable their pain must be. I shattered their lives in a matter of seconds. I am the direct cause of their despair. This is the source of my guilt and shame, to know I have taken a daughter, a sister, a friend... forever.