Wherever people are celebrating the 4th of July, Shannon Puerta knows that alcohol will often be involved, which isn't a problem. It's the decision many people make after they've been drinking, that she has a problem with.
"Don't be a murderer," Puerta said. "You could murder somebody if you get behind the wheel drunk."
A drunk driver killed her 19 year old daughter, Gisela, on Oct. 30, 2016. While her daughter wasn't killed on the 4th of July, she says holidays are often a difficult time. She doesn't wish what she's experienced on anyone.
"I would not want anyone, anyone, to ever go through this. It's not something that you'd wish on your enemies," Puerta said. "You never get over losing your child, you don't ever."
With the 4th of July holiday looming...tonight, we hear a mother’s plea, for people to NOT get behind the wheel if they’ve had a few drinks. @kgun9 pic.twitter.com/8aBwEBDcj4
— Max Darrow (@MaxDarrowTV) July 4, 2018
Jason Frazier, the Arizona Executive Director of Mother's Against Drunk Driving (MADD), says the 4th of July is one of the deadliest times of year for drinking and driving.
"It is one of the deadliest. We see the deadliest falls between Thanksgiving and New Years," he said. "This is right up there with it unfortunately."
According to MADD:
Last year, from 6 p.m. July 1 to 5:59 a.m. July 5, 188 Americans were killed in crashes involving drunk drivers. During that timeframe, drunk driving deaths accounted for 41 percent of all fatalities on U.S. roadways. In Arizona, nearly 54 percent of all traffic fatalities were alcohol-related during this period.
"There are zero excuses, at all," Frazier said. "We all have cell phones where you program in Uber or one of these other services, and I guarantee you no matter how drunk you are, you can still hit that button and they'll find you."
Puerta's life is forever changed, and she's hoping that won't happen to any other person, on the 4th of July.
"Think of your own family. Think of your children. Think if somebody murdered your kids from getting behind the wheel after drinking," she said. "It's like playing Russian Roulette with innocent people. It shouldn't be done."
"Now I just try to figure out how to live every day, without her. I wake up and I have to go step by step."
Both Frazier and Puerta are urging people make a plan as to how they'll get home, before they go out and start drinking. That could involve a ride share program, having a cab to call, having a designated driver, staying the night somewhere, utilizing a program like Tipsy Tow, or anything else that would allow a person to get home safely.
"If you make a plan before you go out before your 4th of July Celebration, then chances are you're not going to drive home drunk and kill somebody," Puerta said.
Law enforcement from agencies across Arizona will be out making patrols and setting up checkpoints to get as many impaired drivers off the road as possible.
