| On September 19, 1999 a young
woman was driving home from a birthday party when she was struck by an
18 year old High School student, Reggie Stephy who had been out drinking
beer with his buddies. That woman is know by the name Jacqueline Saburido.
Jacqueline was in a car with some friends when their vehicle was struck
by Reggie's. Jacqueline was pinned in the passenger seat in the front of
the vehicle. Within a few minutes the car caught fire and Jacqueline was
burned on over 60% of her body. Jacqueline, who is from Venezuela, came
to the United States to study English.
Two of Jacquelines friends
were killed in this accident. Jacquelines's hands were so badly burned
that she lost the use of them. She also lost her hair, her left eyelid
along with much of her vision, her nose and both of her ears. Jacqueline
has been through more than 40 operations and is not done yet.
Jacqueline and her father
now live in Kentucky where she undergoes skin grafts and specialists are
working to rebuild her right hand. She has also been able to resume
her studies.
To find out how you can help
Jacqueline click here:
Help
Jacqueline
How could ANYONE make it
out of this alive?
Jacqueline did!
Jacqueline has generously lent her story
to the state of Texas
to be used in a state wide campaign against
drunk driving.
It is Jacqueline's hope that her story
will deter people
from drinking and driving. The campaign
features
television and printed public service
announcements.
Reggie Stephys
At the trial, Jacqueline was curious about
Reggie and when she saw him she thought he was handsome. She said she felt
sorry for him wondering if he would ever be able to go to college, though
she felt he should be held accountable for what he did. In her words
"I wish there was something between guilt and innocence". Reggie had asked
the jury for probation so that he could educate young people on the dangers
of drinking and driving.
While the jury deliberated, Jacqueline,
her family and friends, agreed to meet with Reggie in a conference
room. There she told him that she didn't hate him but he needed to relize
that he made a big mistake. She also told him that she forgives him.
Reggie apologized to them all and he hugged each of them, including Jacqueline
though she says it was very light, she thought maybe he felt she would
break.
In June of 2001, on his 20th birthday,
Reggie was found guilty of two counts of intoxication manslaughter. His
sentence is to serve seven years in prison and pay a $20,000. fine. To
this day, Reggie has never been able to forgive himself for drinking and
getting behind the wheel of his vehicle. |
