This is a really sad story out of San Diego that unfolded in the evening hours of July 4th. Shortly after leaving a party, former Chargers safety Terrence Kiel smashed his Chevy Suburban into a wall and was thrown from the car. By the time ambulances arrived, Kiel was barely breathing. About an hour later, Kiel was pronounced dead.
The Associated Press has reported that friends of Kiel urged him not to drive himself home from the party. We can only assume that the reason for his friend’s request for him not to drive was based on Kiel’s consumption of a substance that would affect his ability to drive. Whether that be alcohol or drugs, we do not know and an autopsy report is still weeks away.
That leads me to my point. If you have a friend that you believe should not be driving, it is not enough to simply ask that they do not drive. You have to do something to make them not drive. Take their keys. Call them a cab and put $20 in their pocket. Find them a ride home with someone at the party who is capable of driving safely. I remember a Budweiser commercial where the guy (some NASCAR driver) parks his car outside the party, locks the doors and then slashes his tires. He then pulls out his six-pack of Bud and the party begins. That is obviously not what I suggest you do, since that would be way more expensive than the aforementioned cab ride. You get the point, though. If you have a friend who shouldn’t be driving, don’t let them. A day after this accident, there is one thing we can be sure of – Terrence Kiel’s friends wish they would have taken my advice.
You are spot on. That’s exactly what we should do if we are a true friend. Thanks.