People who lost a loved one due to drunk driving will honor them Wednesday during a statewide candlelight vigil in Nashville.
Norris Skelley represents the Upper Cumberland as a MADD Tennessee State Board Member. Skelley said attendees will have the chance to share their loved one’s name and photo at the event. Skelley said there is power in saying victims’ names, and doing so makes the issue of drunk driving real to more people.
“Every year, we hear that there are X number of people killed in drunk driving crashes,” Skelley said. “What we do with these vigils and other programs with MADD is we bring a name and a face to that number. And we want people to realize that there are families hurting, whether it’s been 30 days or 30 years.”
Skelley said the community aspect of greiving is needed, and it can be found by attending the vigil. Skelley said MADD considers themselves to be like a family.
“Nobody understands the pain that’s associated with a loss due to impaired driving like someone who’s been through it,” Skelley said. “So it gives us a chance to meet together, to meet with other victims, and share our family members.”
Skelley said the idea came up after some board members heard about a national vigil in Washington D.C., which led the board to hold a vigil closer to home. Skelley said he hopes the vigil helps to spread awareness.
Skelley said drunk driving fatalities were down in Tennessee with some 337 fatalities statewide last year. Over the last five years, however, there has been a 35 percent increase in impaired driving related deaths. Skelley said there are always people on the roadways who drive impaired, be it by alcohol or something else. Skelley said people should either drink or drive, but never both at once.
“Your life can change in just a split second because someone made that choice to drive under the influence,” Skelley said. “It’s important that people realize this is still an issue.”
Skelley’s brother-in-law Chris was killed in an impaired driving crash 32 years ago in Fentress County. Skelley said MADD is there to help any victims of impaired drivers and their families. Skelley said there is much more impact from real people than from statistics people may read.
The vigil will take place on Wednesday at 6pm at the State Capital.