LONG prison term for this one.

[Elspeth]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/01/us/01van.html?_r=1&ref=us&oref=slogin

Collision on Ohio Highway Kills 5 Members of a Family

CINCINNATI — A woman and four children traveling home to Maryland from Michigan were killed on an Ohio highway when their minivan was struck by a pickup truck being driven the wrong way by a man whose blood-alcohol level registered three times the legal limit, the authorities said Monday. Three other people in the van were injured in the crash Sunday night. Two of them were in critical condition.

Christmas presents were strewn among the wreckage of the minivan on Interstate 280 in Toledo, Ohio, near Interstate 75. The impact ripped away the front passenger seat and two doors, and several victims were ejected.

“To take the lives of five out of the eight family members, I would have to say that would be the worst wreck that I have ever seen,” said Luis Santiago, an assistant fire chief who is a 23-year veteran of the Toledo Fire Department.

The police said that several people tried to alert them about the driver of the pickup truck, identified as Michael R. Gagnon, 24, of Adrian, Mich....Chief Santiago said Mr. Gagnon was belligerent toward hospital workers before being treated for minor injuries. After the police obtained a search warrant, medical workers drew Mr. Gagnon’s blood, which registered an alcohol level of 0.254 percent, more than three times Ohio’s 0.08 percent legal limit.

[LeftishBrit]

1. That is just so sad!

I keep thinking of the agony of the other family members, once they are conscious enough to realize what has happened.

Please everyone - NEVER drink and drive! It only takes a second for horror to happen.

[flvegan]

2. Driver of the truck had "minor injuries"

Sometimes, life ain't fair.

The picture at the link to the article is absolutely shocking.

[Elspeth]

3. That picture is heartbreaking.

I can't believe the drunk driver did so much damage and escaped with minor injuries.