Recently, Holt High School was devastated by the loss of three young people involved in an accident that took place during the early morning hours of Jan. 30. The car was heading south down Hagadorn Road when the driver lost control and struck two trees.
As initially was suspected, alcohol played a factor in the accident. The driver has been charged with felony drunken driving charges that could result in a prison sentence potentially lasting decades.
As the community is left to deal with the aftermath of such a tragedy, numerous questions arise.
I’ll start with the most immediate: What should happen to 17-year-old Brett Johnson, the high school student allegedly responsible for the deaths of three people?
In situations like these, there is no small amount of gray area.
First, can one even refer to it as an accident? Looking at the definition of an accident as “an event that happens by chance or that is without apparent or deliberate cause” — one must consider the personal responsibility and free will involved in making a decision to drink and drive.
Some argue that locking Johnson away for years only would add to the tragedy and serve no rehabilitative purpose. However, there also is the need for some sort of retribution; actions come with consequences.
In this case, I’m sure the consequences are more severe than he ever imagined when he got behind the wheel of the car that night.
The Lansing State Journal quotes Dalia Luera-Harris, whose son died from injuries caused by the crash, as saying, “It could have been Anthony driving. It could have been any of them. It was an accident. … They all made a choice to get in that vehicle.”
If this is true, should Johnson solely be held responsible because he ultimately made the decision to drive? Also, what about those who provided the alcohol? There is definitely room for blame all around.
(Editor’s note: This column was written before charges were brought against the alleged providers.)
I believe Johnson’s fate is linked to yet another question that is raised after these kinds of heartbreaking incidents, “What are we doing to prevent these tragedies?”
My heart breaks for Johnson — it really does. I cannot imagine how he must feel having to deal with the loss of his friends, compounded by the guilt that has to come with it.
That being said, I am somewhat at a loss as to what can be done to prevent further incidents.
Unfortunately for Johnson, it might be time to show teens that there indeed will be severe punishments for illegal actions. After discussing this particular situation with a roommate, my response was, “Oh, he’ll get off. No judge would put a minor away for decades.”
Initially, even I had doubts about the possibility of a young person facing the consequences an adult normally would face.
However, Johnson, like so many minors, made the “adult” decision to not only drink illegally but also drive.
Perhaps he needs to accept the ”adult” punishment. Jail time appears deserved, but excessive jail time probably only would serve to make an example of him rather than just personal punishment.
Should an example be made of him? What will work?
There are those who say Johnson could become a spokesperson to tell his story to help inform students of the perils of drinking and driving. However, how likely is it a student will pay mind to someone who only received a slap on the wrist for drunk driving?
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Students are faced with physical evidence through the placement of wrecked cars in front of high schools on prom nights and video footage shown at assemblies.
Students are warned by their parents and encouraged to call home if they ever find themselves in a compromising situation. Despite these efforts, the behavior persists.
Parents and teachers are faced with the task of continuing teaching lessons about irresponsible behavior and its implications.
Does it really take personal tragedy to finally hit home with students?
Kristen Kitti is a State News guest columnist and an English senior. Reach her at kittikri@msu.edu.
