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

#121
MatticusMania said:
You are right, tasty, about always being more drunk than you feel. I could blow a .08 and not feel even the slightest bit tipsy. Thats what tolerance will do for ya. Always smarter to play it safe and not drive if youve been drinking.
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Have you ever heard of the "boiling frog" comparison?

Throw a frog into hot water, and he will jump right out.

Throw a frog into cold water and turn on the heat, and he will just sit there until he dies.

This is similar to how we get drunk. The gradual movement from sobriety to inebriation is impossible to track - it's why we say when we are partying..."How did I get so drunk?"

You "reset" your reference point during the night, and at least to yourself, you are not as drunk as you actually are. It's part of what causes us to drive...you start out the night saying to yourself that you won't drive, but your judgement is also adjusting at the same time your sobriety is, and all of a sudden, you forgot that you intended to be safe when the night began.
 
#122
Well, I'm off to visit Chad's gravesite and pay my respects. It is snowing right now, and two nights ago we got about 15 inches on top of what was already there. Here are two more reminders why drinking and driving will impact more than your own life:

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We can all have fun, but let's be smart about it. There are consequences way beyond what you can imagine should you think otherwise.
 
#123
It has been nearly two years since my nephew, godson, and buddy Chad and his passengers were all killed by a drunk driver. Today, after a lot of legal wrangling, delays and negotiation, we finally reached closure on the criminal proceeding. Anthony Bruno plead guilty this morning. He received a maximum of 18 years; he will not be eligible for parole for 7 1/2 years, and the time he has already served counts against his sentence.

The courtroom was packed with family, friends, and press. The full story is here:

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The judge recited all of the charges, and reviewed the facts of the case and his plea. Anthony Bruno consumed over 20 beers, as well as shots and mixed drinks that night. How is that humanly possible without dying of alcohol poisoning?? As the families gave their impact statements, the judge was visibly shaken; the court reporter was actually crying. Bruno gave an apology to the families, and wept openly.

Chad was the oldest son of my twin brother. I held my brother's hand throughout the proceeding. I can't remember the last time that happened.

Chad's life was all about forgiveness, and I have, in my heart, forgiven Anthony Bruno. He did not intentionally set out to kill anyone that night. It has been a long, hard road to get to this point.

Tonight I played my first Praise and Worship service. (I know, it's Monday night, but my church does a week long renewal and revival service every January.) I played my butt off. I needed it desperately. The guest evangelist gave a service about moving on from pain and hurt and leaving it in the past. His service hit me between the eyes and right in the heart as well. My pastor already knew the story; he had me put down my bass, step down from the stage, and the congregation had a prayer for me and my family. It is amazing how God works in these circumstances.

I implore all of you to please, please, please, never get behind the wheel if you have been drinking. The damage that can potentially be done is permanent and devastating.
 
#124
Thanks for the update. Has it been 2 years, I remember first reading this thread, seems not that long ago.

I hope this last event helps you find some closure to this ordeal.

I am glad to hear that you have forgiven Mr. Bruno in your heart. That will go a long way towards healing your family as one can't heal in anger.

It will be a long time until Mr. Bruno will be able to forgive himself. Not only did he devastate the lives of others, he destroyed his own.

Now justice has been done and it is time to move forward. My best wishes to you and your family.
 
#125
Man, this thread has been gut-wrenching to read. Condolences to you and your family, Commreman. I hope that with the sentencing there is some semblance of closure for you and your nephew's family and friends (if that is ever at all possible). I can't imagine the grief you all must be still feeling to this day. 22 is way too young to go - and in such a needless, stupid, avoidable way.

This thread is a grim reminder of one of the many reasons I don't drink. I can't imagine hurting someone because of my own carelessness or irresponsibility.
 
#126
I used to play in a house band w/ a country band 3 nights a week, it used to blow my mind how much people would drink and then they go right out and drive home, I can count the number of times I saw a cab at the end of the night on one hand.
 
#127
Same here, getting a cab in some of the local towns here is impossible. I have made it a habit that if I am going to drink, I'll just stay home. Plan B is have someone else drive.

The reality is that if you blow a .10 or a .09 and are involved in a fatal accident, you are potentially liable for the same penalties as this Bruno guy who was sh!tfaced.
 
#129
Thanks, Thor, and everyone else here. There were, and are no winners here. Three families have been altered permanently through the premature deaths of loved ones, and Bruno, well, he is probably dead man walking. The stats show that once folks who have killed others through drunk driving get finally released, they wind up drinking themselves to death shortly thereafter. I personally hope that this kid gets himself together and once released, whenever that is, figures out how to be productive in some way. His family was also permanently scarred as well. The choices you make can have very wide ranging ramifications.

The judge made an interesting observation when he was addressing Bruno. He said that drinking and driving is no different than grabbing a gun, climbing to the top of a building, putting on a blindfold, and then shooting in random directions. Someone is gonna get hurt or killed either way. I agree!
 
#130
Today marks four years since Chad and his passengers were all killed by a drunk driver. Anthony Bruno is in jail. Bruno's designated driver was a guy named Joseph Starace. This jerk left Bruno shitfaced at the bar to chase a piece of ass. Yesterday, this article appeared concerning Starace. Apparently, this upstanding citizen has been involved in a series of break ins, and is headed to prison himself. See here: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Again, I implore all of you to never drink and drive. If you have agreed to be someone's designated driver, then carry through with your promise. Never take anyone or anything for granted.
 

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