Article about my Dad's death in the Orlando Sentinel

[jen3003]

Kevin, I'm so sorry about this whole incident! It sickens me knowing that someone like that is free and killing an innocent man and causing such grief on your family is okay according to that report.

I hope you and your family can fight this somehow. I wish you all the best and are keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers for having to go through this now.

 

[bluecruiser]

Kevin, I am saddened to hear about this turn of events. It seems the Florida justice system needs to be overhauled. My cousin in Florida was almost killed last year by a reckless driver who was caught driving for the third time with a suspended license. He (my cousin, who is a Marine, not a lawyer) ended up having to review the law with the idiots in the State Attorney’s Office so they would charge the other driver correctly based on her past legal history.

Hoping for justice for your family.

 

[Disneybridein2k3]

Even though I can understand the legal concerns with prosecuting the driver I am still very disturbed by the prosecutor's decision. I hope your family will not take this as the final decision.

Kevin

I don't have any new words to share with you and your family. {{{hugs}}} This has got to be an incredibly difficult time for you.

It is a shame that the balance of our legal system has swung to the point we have to be able to prove that the presence of an illegal substance in a persons system has impaired their driving. Shouldn't the presence of the substance be enough? and taking someone else's prescription?

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I agree with both Jack and Anne. I hope that you are not taking this as the final decision. I know articles can be twisted and words left out, but it truly does read that your Dad was at fault and that contradicts the officer's report as you tell us. For nothing else, his name needs to be cleared. And as hard as it is you must now do everything you can to make sure David Lanier doesn't hurt anyone else the way he has hurt your family.

My prayers are with you and your family. I know you are strong but know this is a hard time. Please know I am thinking of you.

 

[jimmiej]

I'm really sorry about this Kevin. This really makes me angry! I hope you & your family can fight this decision.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Gosh Kevin, I am really sorry to hear this. I am waiting for the trial of the man who murdered my DH. I can't imagine how I would feel if the charges were dropped. Your mom must be devastated. Hugs to you both!

 

[Mr. Disney 652]

Kevin,
First off, I'm sorry to hear about this...it sounds like no one followed through at the crime lab or with the SA's office, not sure about the police follow up either. I am an officer and part of a specialized crash reconstruction team, all I do is fatal and serious injury crashes. The primary function of their investigation is criminal prosecution. In crashes such as these someone should always be following through until the end, without question!

In our area, and most places around the country, the prosecutors order further testing after a driver tests positive for something. We ALWAYS send the samples out for quantifying data and results...that way there's no question or issues later on in prosecution. This should have begun with the police and crime lab, and been verified by the SA.

Years ago if you tested positive for drugs it was DUI-Drugs, period. Now days the courts want to see what "level" you are at and if it was a contributing factor to the crash. I don't think it should matter, but I'm not the courts and my opinion is worth two cents. If this were my investigation I would blow my lid...I couldn't imagine telling this to any victim's family, and none should go through this.

There is no reason why the results weren't quantified. Yes, it costs about $800, but we're talking about someone's life. I'm sorry Kevin (and family) that you have to go through this...and I apologize for the mistakes that fellow law enforcement and courts have made. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.

 

[jodiey]

Just the statement 'Cocaine in one's system does not constitute impairment' kills me! Are you kidding me?? What are these people thinking??

 

[slapwhitey]

So sorry to hear about this Kevin, it really is unbelievable. I can't imagine what you guys are going through and no words I can say can give you the comfort you guys need. It's ridiculous that someone can get away with this.

Take care.

 

[Kaler131]

Kevin, I am so sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. This is absolutely unbelievable! Your father deserves justice!!

 

[SueM in MN]

someone else had the most appropriate phrase I can think of:
your family was robbed of justice.

Sorry this horrible thing happened to your family.

 

[chrisw127]

I'm sorry. From what you've said on the podcast, you seem like the kind of son any parent would be proud to have. It's terrible that you and your family going through this.

Thank you for posting this link; I had no idea this sort of thing could happen.

 

[mainegal]

Kevin, I am so sorry about this total lack of justice. Nothing can bring your father back to your family, but his very untimely death at the hands of this driver is unexusable! I can't believe the driver was not held accountable for his actions.

Again, my sympathies to you and your mother. I pray that you eventually find some peace.

 

[challer]

So many thoughts are running through my mind about this that I can't seem to pin any down and feel confident that it'll come out in any comprehensible way.

I just feel terrible for Kevin & his family that this has played out this way. The frustration must be unbearable.

 

[PryncessChrysty]

Kevin, my condolences to you and your family. I am so sorry you are going through this.

 

[ADP]

This was difficult to read in so many ways. Kevin - I'm so sorry you and your family are going through this. I get so discouraged when I see our courts, who we count on to make good decisions, throw common sense out the window and act like robots.

We love ya Kevin. You're a great person.

 

[alebisi]

Kevin, I really don't know how to put this in words.. I'm so sorry you and your family are going through all this injustice, unfortunately this not only happens in the USA but also in other countries of the world. Keep strong! And I really hope things change. Feel free to vent in here!

 

[bawstngrl]

I THINK and I am by NO means defending this decision, what the state is saying is that cocaine remains in your blood for much longer than alcohol or pot, I think for up to 2 weeks and the test that they do just tests for any cocaine, so this scum bag COULD have done the cocaine on the day of accident or a week before the accident, but since it stays in the blood longer, with the test that they used, they cannot prove either way which it was. ....

Your facts are dead WRONG....POT stays in system for 30 to 45 days....COCAINE can clear the system anywhere from 24 hours to up to maybe 3 days, tops,(with heavy use). Alcohol will most likely clear your system in about 24 hours.


As a comment on the newspaper article -- all I could think was who does this guy know or is related to that pulled strings to get him off these drug charges(not once but three times)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a fact that money can buy you out of most anything in FL.................SAD.....

 

[rn4val]

Kind of makes you lose faith in our system of justice. I thought the assistant state attorney were suppose to aim for justice and keep criminals off the street and you are a criminal if you are driving a vehile impaired.. I am a nurse and have seem too many lives ruined by alcohol and drugs. We are behind you Kevin and your family.

 

[Applemomma]

Absolutely infuriating.............

I wish there were words Kevin but all I can do is keep you and your family in my prayers.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Your facts are dead WRONG....POT stays in system for 30 to 45 days....COCAINE can clear the system anywhere from 24 hours to up to maybe 3 days, tops,(with heavy use). Alcohol will most likely clear your system in about 24 hours.


As a comment on the newspaper article -- all I could think was who does this guy know or is related to that pulled strings to get him off these drug charges(not once but three times)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a fact that money can buy you out of most anything in FL.................SAD.....

I apologize, I did not mean to state anything as fact, I was remembering an newspaper article from a similiar case here a few months ago. And again I was not in any way defending the decision, I think it's disgusting to say the least.