Chad Michael Horne 1987-2010 - Killed by a Drunk Driver

[Commreman]

I haven't been on the board for about a week, as my family and I have been dealing with a tragedy that no one on this planet should go through.

Four years ago, I was rear ended by a drunk driver, and was hurt. I detailed this here: Drunks on the road

On January 28 at 12:11 AM, my nephew, my godson, my buddy Chad Michael Horne, son of my twin brother, was killed by a drunk driver in Bethlehem, Pa. My family is careening between the deepest sadness and the most blinding anger that you can imagine.

While Chad lived with my brother and his wife here in New Jersey, you might ask what he was doing in Pa. at that hour. He was there because my brothers' exs' mother had died (Chad's maternal grandmother), and it was his job to ferry friends and family between homes during their time of mourning up until the funeral. In the car with Chad was his mother's best friend, and his mother's cousin. They were both killed in the accident as well. My brother's ex had to bury 4 people this week. No human being should ever have to endure this.

Chad was parked at a red light at a "t" shaped intersection at Easton Avenue. It is a blind intersection, so anyone at that light is stopped 20 feet prior. The light turned green, and Chad pulled into the intersection to turn left. He was blasted by a drunk driver in a Dodge Ram pickup truck, who was driving so fast that he knocked Chad's car 40 yards. He and his passengers were killed instantly. The driver of the Dodge thought that he hit a tree. He was treated for minor injuries, and then released into the hands of the Northampton County justice system. This bastard blew through three red lights, and was passing on both sides of the road on his way to murdering Chad and his passengers. He was three times over the legal limit.

Because Chad's drivers license has my brother's address on it, the police had no idea that he had a mother in the area. my brother got a knock on the door at 5:00 AM from the police telling him his son was killed. He then had to call his ex and let her know what had happened. My brother called me next.

Chad was a great kid with a bright future ahead of him. He studied culinary arts in high school, and as a result, landed a gig in Wegmans in the bakery department that he has worked for the last 6 years. He switched his focus to Political Science in college with dreams of becoming an ambassador. He was active in two very unpopular causes in college - the Campus Crusade for Christ, and the young republicans club. He didn't care. This is what he believed in, and it took balls for him to stand up for this. He interned in Disney for 7 months last year, and the day he died he was to have his final interview to return for a permanent position there upon graduation. In his own way, he was going to become an ambassador after all.

Wegmans has been unbelievable. They gave all the employees in Chad's store time off with pay, brought in grief counselors, and have backed up truckloads of prepared foods to my brother's house. This is a great company.

While we were preparing for the viewing, we were going through some of Chad's things. He had a bucket list in his wallet. What 22 year old has a bucket list?? The items on the list were straightforward, and had little to nothing to do with acquiring "stuff" (OK with the exception of getting a Nobel Prize, but those are never awarded to young republicans!). He wanted a wife and family, a career that he could advance in and be proud of, a home, and finally to die at an old age happy, surrounded by family and friends. When we boiled it down, he simply wanted to be exactly like his father.

We buried him on Monday of this week. Over 1,000 people came out for his viewing, and there were hundreds at his funeral. I was a pallbearer. I would not have it any other way.

My 77 year old father and I were speaking on Monday after the burial. He is a Korean War veteran. He told me that when he was fighting on the front lines, his best friend's brains were blown out and splattered all over him. He then said that this funeral was much worse than that. I believe him.

The bastard that killed Chad was arraigned and charged on Tuesday with three separate counts of vehicular homicide, involuntary manslaughter, drunk driving, and reckless driving. The minimum he will get is 9 years; the max is 30.

A lot of us here joke around about drinking at gigs, etc. I implore all of you to think very carefully about this. My life has been impacted twice by drunks on the road. I'm sorry that I have rambled a bit here. I will probably seek professional help soon to deal with the confusion and anger issues that I'm dealing with right now. The cruelest thing that this world can offer to anyone is having to bury a child that you helped raise.

[Yerf Dog]

Horrible news.

Originally Posted by Commreman

The minimum he will get is 9 years; the max is 30.

Not enough. You take a life (or lives) you should get life.

[Blueszilla]

I am very, very sorry for your loss. Please accept my deepest sympathies...

[bassteban]

This was not rambling. Thank you for sharing an incomprehesibly painful story(not that I'm glad to read it, just that it may help avoid more of the same).

[karrot-x]

Tough, I never want to be in that situation. My condolences.

[MJ5150]

Nine years? What a joke. Even 30 years is a joke.

Hang in there bro. Let your family know we'll be thinking about them. Anything we can help with that Wegmans has not covered?

-Mike

[MonetBass]

Very sorry to hear about your family's loss. This is very sad.

And I agree about being careful when drinking. 24 years ago I left a party so drunk that I was blacking out behind the wheel. I was fortunate enough to get pulled over, arrested, and thrown in jail before I could hurt anyone or myself. That DUI was one of the best things to happen to me. Never again will I be that stupid.

[jwbassman]

That is terrible! I don't even know where to begin. No one should have to go through that. A very tragic loss of life.

A 30 year sentence really just seems too short, but the reality is that this guy will get out in less than 10. It's a shame and a sham. Our legal system in the US can be the greatest and yet has so many flaws.

I agree that if you take a life, especially in a way that where there is gross negligence, you should have to pay with a life sentence of you own. I don't not agree with the death penalty myself, but I have no problem with someone being locked up for the rest of their life without any chance of parole.

I think the guy that caused this accident certainly deserves at least that.

My condolences to you and your family.

[Commreman]

Thank you guys. I'm in tears right now as I am reviewing everything that has happened. I need to figure out how to heal and be strong for my family.

[DudeistMonk]

I can't even begin to comprehend, I'm so sorry man.

[DaveDeVille]

very sorry for your loss ...


keep your faith , lose your anger .

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by Commreman

Thank you guys. I'm in tears right now as I am reviewing everything that has happened. I need to figure out how to heal and be strong for my family.

Crying in front of them is not a sign of weakness by the way. It shows you have emotions and care just like everyone else.

Not saying you are....but don't try and be the tough guy who doesn't cry or show emotions.

-Mike

[Relic]

I'm actually choking up here, I really am.
I'm in NJ, as well, not sure how far away from you and your family but if you need anything, I'm here.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Sorry to hear about that, it is always terrible when someone young looses their life, it's made even worse when it is caused by someone else in a situation like this.

I have to agree with the general feeling that 9-30 years is far too short, far far too short a term

[Geddyfleaharris]

My condolences. Simply awful and no words can epxress the pain and horror you and your family must be living in.

There are few crimes that make me as mad as death caused by a drunk driver. Such a selfish but preventable act. Around my parts the guy would probably only get a couple of years in jail. Pathetic.

But truthfully no amount of jail time can repair the damage.

[Commreman]

Originally Posted by MJ5150

Crying in front of them is not a sign of weakness by the way. It shows you have emotions and care just like everyone else.

Not saying you are....but don't try and be the tough guy who doesn't cry or show emotions.

-Mike

My kids have never seen me and my wife cry so much.

My youngest, my 11 year old helped give the eulogy at the viewing. It was gut wrenching.

My 14 year old son is a member of the American Boychoir. For those of you unfamiliar with this, they are the equivalent in the United States of the Vienna Boychoir. They tour nationally and internationally. He was on tour when this happened, and we had to let him know. The poor kid screamed when we told him, and needed to be calmed down. They were in Florida on their way to of all places, Disney. We had him stay with the tour, and continue on to Disney, because that is what his cousin would have wanted. Disney was terrific; I think that they made arrangements for the kids did a performance yesterday there in Chad's memory and honor.

I had to help my brother and his wife make all of the arrangements, right down to picking the casket and burial plot. I am haunted by this.

I am doing my best to keep my faith. I have turned to Christ many, many times, and I continue to read my bible daily, which is a habit I got into about 5 years ago. Right now, I'm looking for answers when I don't know what the questions are.

[P. Aaron]

Sad news. You have to stay strong.

[Commreman]

Originally Posted by Relic

I'm actually choking up here, I really am.
I'm in NJ, as well, not sure how far away from you and your family but if you need anything, I'm here.

Thank you. We're all located in Monmouth County, about an hour and a half away from you.

[Selta]

I don't even know what to say .

[john turner]

you have my deepest sympathies man. it's beyond my ability to convey how awful that is.