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DEL.ICIO.USGwinnett’s street race case and my own dumb decision
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Decisions determine destiny. Either by design or default, our lives are a summary of prior decisions that we or others made.
Sometimes one unfortunate decision will reverberate long after a deed is done.
Sorrowfully, many people - especially teenagers - do not understand how important it is to try to consistently make the right choices until confronted with the consequences of a wrong choice.
Wendy Jennings and Susan Osley, both 20, continue to be bombarded with the fallout of their foolhardy decision three and a half years ago to race their BMWs on Peachtree Parkway in Norcross.
Jennings said she has no memory of the race or the crash. Osley said she did it “I guess to get a rush.” What she found instead was death and devastation.
Both vehicles were traveling at more than 80 miles per hour. Jennings unable to control her car, crossed the median, flipped, and slammed into the Honda Accord driven by Julia Burns, 61, of Duluth. Burns was killed.
Jennings’ boyfriend and passenger Jacob Miller, 17, was also killed.
The women do accept responsibility for their roles in the crash and pled guilty to vehicular homicide. They were sentenced on Thursday, November 2.
“What a waste,” said Gwinnett Superior Court Judge Richard Winegarden while issuing sentences to the two defendants. Jennings received five years in prison and 10 years probation. Osley received fours years in prison and 11 years probation.
Hopefully for the families of those killed the sentencing of the women will bring about some sense of closure.
However, the sad end results will likely continue. The families of Burns and Miller are still mourning their needless deaths.
“The last 3 1/2 years have been very difficult,” said Jill Burns, Julia Burns’ daughter, as reported in the AJC. “It is hard for us to deal with Christmas, Easter and Mother’s Day.”
Likewise, the lives of the defendants are irrevocably changed.
While their peers are in college or beginning careers, the women will start serving their prison sentences. Their lives will be subject to court control until middle age.
One poor choice will echo in multiple lives for generations.
When I was 16 and a passenger in my friend Diane’s car, we were challenged by a carload of boys to a race down one of our city’s main thoroughfares.
Misplaced ideas about feminism coupled with youthful exuberance and a flawed belief that bad things only happened to other people inspired us to accept their challenge.
By sheer grace none of us crashed and no one was hurt or killed.
Afterwards, Diane and I both knew we had done a dangerous and dumb thing.
I never participated in or encouraged anyone else to be involved in such reckless and irresponsible behavior again.
Reading about Jennings’ and Osley’s ill-fated decision to drag race reminds me of how fortunate we were.
It gives me pause to think that my one very poor youthful decision could have impacted lives decades later.
Did you make a decision, bad or good, as a teenager that still has consequences for you as an adult?
Have you ever made a poor decision, but luckily escaped devastating consequences?
Permalink | Comments (24) | Categories: Beni Dakar
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By Destiny's Child
November 6, 2006 06:43 PM | Link to this
Decisions determine destiny.
That is so TRUE. Every move we make requires a decision and those decisions determine how our lives are played out. Too many of us are cavalier about how we make decisions. The result is that we live low level lives and fail to meet our potential for greatness.
By dirtie birdie
November 7, 2006 12:26 AM | Link to this
so sad, such a waste. we all did incredibly reckless things as teens because we were too young to realize that there were consequences, both small and disastrous for our misdeeds for us, our loved ones, and people we would not have ever have known otherwise. we were sheltered for good reasons, we wanted to break free of the imposed parental shackles, and mommy and daddy often bailed us out of everything. unfortunately, there are some very serious things that our parents can not help us fix.
when my dad was teaching me how to drive, he kept saying see that car over there and that car over there and this car behind you, you do not want to get to know the people driving those cars. they all are probably great people but the only way you get to know them is if you do not remember that you are driving a deadly and highly dangerous weapon and then you will get to know them far more than you would ever want to know them. unfortunately, i have had my fair share of car wrecks and have gotten to know plenty of people who were not too pleased with my driving abilities and others who i was not pleased with their driving abilities. Fortunately, knock on wood, no one except for myself has ever suffered serious injury.
Unfortunately, for these two young women, two people did not perish in the car wreck. Absolutely horrible. The consequences of these misdeeds will be felt for years by these girls, their friends, loved ones, and most importantly the loved ones and friends of the people who died. They need to suffer the consequences, which they seem to be willing to accept. The judge is right. What a shame. What a waste.
May God be with them and with the families and friends of the ones who died. This is not easy for any of them.
By katie
November 7, 2006 06:18 AM | Link to this
These two girls are very irresponsible and deserve to be in jail. They knew better than to race but chose to anyway. This should be a good lesson for other teenagers. It is a privledge to drive, not a right. In my opinion there should be more driver training before licenses are given—that’s for everyone, not just teens. Teens should also not be given high end sports cars, what do the parents think their child will do when they give them that new BMW or Mercedes? Serves them right.
By Ashleigh
November 7, 2006 11:49 AM | Link to this
Oh man, I freak out if anyone other than me is driving because I know I can control my car and I’m not going to make a stupid decision because I put my blood, sweat and tears into getting my car and I know I’ll have to pay for it if I mess it up or wreck it.
Which brings me to my next point: Parents, don’t give your kids cars at any point in their teenage lives because the stuff read above in Beni’s article WILL happen. A girl that I used to be friends with got a brane new car after she graduated from high school (she didn’t even graduate on time), well, she received 2 speeding tickets in 2 weeks, got on probation and wrecked her car within the first few months of having it. Kids don’t care and they never will until they have to work for something of their own because they have the mentality of “Mommy and Daddy will take care of it.” Teenagers are stupid. End of story.
By HUCK FROM MARIETTA
November 7, 2006 12:42 PM | Link to this
What kind of BMW was it? M3 or M5? Hmmm… I wonder if it’s a stick- shift or semi-automatic? What a shame about the cars if it was an M…
By Cletus Snow
November 7, 2006 01:35 PM | Link to this
Street racers got my attention, several years ago on I75 in Tampa 2 motorcycles shot past me traveling very fast, one of them on just the back tire, about 45 seconds later one of the bikes ran into the back of a dump truck it threw him off and into the center lane where a tractor trailer and a van ran over him and threw his arm back into the left lane it was runover by several cars. we pulled off the roadway and walked back to the scene of the accident they had just found his head still in the helmet about 60 ft down the embankment. the other motorcycle never stopped.
By frank123
November 7, 2006 01:39 PM | Link to this
I have made poor judgments, but I lucked out and was ok.
A couple of times I drove home from a girl friends late at night and was falling asleep.
I tried passing cars. I realized how dangerous it was and stopped. Now on the freeway I drive at 55 mph to be safe and save gas.
By Dumb Only Once
November 7, 2006 02:29 PM | Link to this
When 18 I drove my car at the time on 75 around 105+ mph. I know this because the needle was buried on the speedometer and did not move for a few seconds after I let off the gas pedal. Afterwards, I realised how dumb I was. Once small flinch and I would have been truck fodder. I know how it is being young and thinking you are indestructable. But smart decisions start only in one place and that is home. Yes, what I did was dumb, but my upbringing made me realise that before something tragic happened. It is up to the PARENTS to instill in us that we are responsible for our own actions, not society.
By Cindy
November 7, 2006 03:50 PM | Link to this
Just about everybody has made bad decisions, especially as a teenager. Adults, often act like they are perfect with their decision making. But if they are honest, like Beni, they can remember a time as a teenager or young adult that they made a mistake.
Most of us are lucky and can just move on. But some mistakes are fatal and last a lifetime. Like the mistake that the two young women made to drag race on Peachtree Parkway.
May God help everyone impacted by their mistake.
By harold
November 7, 2006 03:59 PM | Link to this
street racing is awesome! doing it in cars is stupid, though. cars are stupid. they kill 45000 americans yearly and send millions to the ER with injuries. if cars were a terrorist george bush would have bombed a petting zoo by now.
By Ed
November 7, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this
Bad and deadly decisions are not made by just the driver, take one step back and look at the stupid and irresponsible parents. If you put your teen-ager in a vehicle with a cell phone and CD’s to listen to, why not just buy them a coffin instead. Do you think that airhead of a 16 year old that couldn’t get out of bed in time this morning and find a clean pair of jeans without involving you can drive a car, talk on the phone and change CD’s at the same time. The phone is okay to have, in the glove compartment, and the call log should be checked to see if they used the phone while driving. The phone should be for emergency use only, not by some irresponsible kid in a car driving down the highway. Dumb parents breed dumb and deadly kids.
By dawgdan
November 7, 2006 05:24 PM | Link to this
There is a time and place for this type of racing. It’s called the drag strip, and you can go there on Friday nights from January till Novemeber. There are tracks in Commerce, Reynolds (south of Macon), Valdosta, and Dallas. It’s a controlled environment where safety absolutely comes first. Cars are checked over to make sure there are no problems with safety equipment. Helmets are required if cars reach a certain speed. And most of all, it’s fun! No one has to die because of a stupid mistake. Face it, young people are going to race on the street no matter what - just like having sex. But a controlled environment that provides the element of safety minimizes the chance of something stupid being done on public roads.
By J Browne
November 8, 2006 09:02 AM | Link to this
Adults make dumb decisions too. Just look at all of the jerks who drive like simple people in traffic each day. Grown folks cutting each other off in traffic, going too fast, especially in rainy and foggy weather,like we had on Election Day.
Anybody and everybody can be a jerk.
By Johnnie
November 8, 2006 11:59 AM | Link to this
Drag racing is bad, BUT, driving with a cellphone attached to ones ear is worse. I see the same people (male & females) on my way home, and they are deadly. First, they drive bats out of H—- to get ahead of everyone else. Only they forgot that they’re in the wrong lane to turn. Then, they totally cut you off so they can turn 1 car ahead of you when you’re going the same way. Each of these moves are made without the use of blinkers. I think cellphones should be banned in MOVING VEHICLES forever. If you break down and need to use the cellphone, at least you are not endangering other peoples lives. Especially mine and my family’s.
By kgm
November 8, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this
unfortunately that’s how it is with some people these days. they have to learn the hard way in order to learn. one can only do but so much.
By InWonder
November 8, 2006 12:16 PM | Link to this
Kids today act like they are entitled to everything just because they exsist. Parents for some reason think their kids have to have everything that they want just because they can afford it. That saying “no” is equal to child abuse.
Kids only know what they want and don’t often think about their needs, that is why they need parents: to show and teach them the difference.
Teenagers don’t need brand new, high-class, fast cars, in fact, they are just wants because there is a thing called a BUS. Parents though don’t want to be bothered to be parents when they NEED to. If your teenager isn’t responsible enought to get out of bed on time, keep their room clean, remember to do their homework; they are FAR from being responsible to drive - especially alone. Parents, stand up and be parents and stop being selfish and teach your children to be obedient and responsible. That is YOUR JOB! Your kids don’t want to take the bus because it isn’t “cool” and for some reason parents think that they are abusing their children if they do anything that might make their kid look “uncool”. What are you parents? ARE YOU STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL?. You sure are acting that way.
Trust me. When they are sitting at a job, most of those kids that made fun of them for taking the bus will no where in their lives. More than likely, they will be working for or living off of “Mommy and Daddy”.
FYI - Enabling and making your child think they are entitled to everything IS abuse. You are FAR from being helpful.
By Wednesday
November 8, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this
Inwonder I agree. I see alot of my friends who do not want to parent their kids, and are afraid to say NO. I have a friend whose daughter is pregnant at 13, and her response was “teenagers, what can you do?” WHAT CAN YOU DO????? Be a parent to them, which means sometimes having to say NO when they demand something. My daughter knows she has to work for something she wants, she has to EARN it. She has her learner’s license, but is not allowed to drive unless she has earned driving time. She earns the time by showing responsiblity with her chores and school work. I have no problem telling her NO, even though sometimes the guilt will tear me up. But, it’s those times that I know I am being a good parent and she is becoming a very responsible person. However, she still will not get her license until she is 17, and has good grades and has EARNED the priviledge to drive alone. And she has to purchase her own vehicle and pay the insurance and upkeep.
By InWonder
November 8, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this
Wednesday: Ya, what is even sadder is that that girl was 13, she JUST became a teenager - her mother never went thru years of teenage angst. A year ago she was a child - TWELVE! Her mother obviously was not concerned with her daughter’s well-being or anything.
Stories like that are sad and show what a sad state parents are in today and the fact is that they are all in denial and don’t want to feel bad (if they do they just run to the doctor for some drugs to make them feel good)! Guess what parents - raising children isn’t supposed to make YOU feel good all the time. Sorry, parents - you are F A R from perfect and YOU WILL make WRONG decisions. If you don’t learn from it or think of yourself as unable to make parental mistakes (you think yourself perfect) you are doomed and the rest of society has to deal with your offspring (young and adult-aged) running wild thinking they can do and say anything they want and you cannot tell them what to do and the world owes them a living…. Attitudes that should of been nipped in the butt when they were very young. (Yes, your duty to disapline starts in the highchair - as the saying goes…)
Actually, the other day I was at a store and I saw a teenage boy (around 14 yrs old) having a temper tantrum (yes, it was exactly that)and he cussed at his mom and told her that “she was stupid”. She said nothing and kept on having his “fit” for the rest of us to enjoy.
By LB
November 11, 2006 06:43 PM | Link to this
I agree with you InWonder. Kids think all they have to do is snap their fingers and adults are supposed to pop out of a lamp and grant their wish. A no answer, unfortunately, is one parents just don’t want to deal with anymore.
There are many kids now who think if they aren’t in a gang they are nobodies. If parents would say no and pop bottoms every once in a while the kids would not have to resort to acceptance in a gang. Has anybody even considered the thought that a kid wanting to join a gang is actually looking for punishment to quench their guilty conscience.
Parents need to start slapping hands, saying no, woodshedding and taking away rewards. Things would actually start turning around after a while.
By robert
November 13, 2006 01:34 AM | Link to this
Why is it important to always mention that the two girls were driving BMW’s? The two people killed would be just as dead if Yugo’s had been racing. Anyone, rich or poor can make bad decisions.
By InWonder
November 13, 2006 09:02 AM | Link to this
Ya, but the rich parents can (or try to) buy their kids out of trouble a whole lot easier - money talks….
Though I have to say that parents of rich or poor kids all think their kids are unable to make a bad decision - their children are P E R F E C T because they don’t think they made any parental mistakes.
(But… try telling a parent that and have fun with a black eye.)
By InWonder
November 13, 2006 09:07 AM | Link to this
Children are a much clearer, truthful and exact mirror image of their parents true self and character.
By Michael
November 18, 2006 08:08 AM | Link to this
I’m a responsible aggressive driver. I keep my tires, shocks, brakes, mirrors and horn in great condition for the daily competition. And the I-85 weave is exhilirating although 20 years ago you could do over a hundred much more easily.
By Keith Lynch
November 18, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this
Ladies and Gentlemen: K. L. Lundy Publishing LLC has unveiled for the American Public “the truth and nothing but the truth so help us God” in this newly released documentary titled, “Dirty Justice-Who Killed Mommy?” by Keith Lynch.
Read the names of the officials of Dekalb County who committed crimes against Mr. Lynch and his family in the introduction, and first chapter of “Dirty Justice-Who Killed Mommy.”
Discover how a investigator from the Dekalb County District Attorney’s Office was sent to the Dekalb County Jail and gave three inmates information concerning Mr. Lynch’s case, and listed these inmates as State’s witnesses. If the District Attorney’s Office was willing to present purged testimony from witnesses they prepared should Sid Dorsey case be looked at closer The District Attorneys Office was attempting to obtain a conviction against Mr. Lynch; how many other innocent people are sitting in prison because of these unlawful actions? Readers, it is very important that you read every section located on the website www.kllundypublishingllc.com an discover why officials do not want the public too know the truth of the crimes they had committed against Mr. Lynch’s family.