Two Year Old Child Orphaned by Drunk Driver

by Verna Singh

Heather and Oscar

On 2/10/06 at 6:50 pm, life as I knew it, stopped. My life was changed forever. My daughter Heather Nichole Clapper along with her boyfriend Oscar Hernandez Leon were killed in a horrible car crash.

Oscar was driving their Honda Paseo west on 116, Heather was in the front passenger seat, mya was on the passenger side in the backseat. They were heading home, when a eastbound Acura TL, crossed the center line, hitting their car head-on. Heather and Oscar's car then flipped on its roof and skidded into a near-by driveway. Oscar and Heather were killed on impact and pronounced dead at the scene, while the sole occupant of the acura, walked away with minor injuries.

When the man who lived in the house, heard the crash, he ran outside to see the car upside down in his driveway. He checked Heather and Oscar first, but seeing there was nothing he could do for them, he headed towards the other car. That’s when he heard the soft cry of a child come from the car he had just checked. Running back and bending down for a closer look, he found little Mya. Underneath her moms seat, covered in blood. Mya survived, she was air-lifted to Hershey Medical Center where she was listed in critical condition. There she remained until the eve of her mommy and daddy’s viewing.

It was found that the 44 year old man driving the other car had a alcohol level of 0.114. He was charged with DUI, involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, reckless endangerment, and driving with suspended license.

He is now serving six years in state prison and will serve another three on probation. The district attorney offered him this plea bargain, considering he said the man had no priors. Funny how little life is worth. My daughter Heather was four months pregnant and only eighteen years old, Oscar was twenty two. They left behind a two year old daughter who for months, screamed for her mommy and daddy. She begged me to take her to heaven to see them. Being only two she can't understand death. Hopefully one day people will see drinking and driving for what it is, a "choice" not a "accident". A choice that kills innocent people every day.

Verna Singh