Drinking and Driving Deaths Touch Teens

“Seeing is believing,” 17-year-old Cheyenne Zopfi said.

High school friends 17-year-old Cheyenne and 15-year-old Kali sat in the front row during a presentation on Thursday May 12, 2011 at . With tears in their eyes, the two said they won’t drink and drive.

“If you’re drinking, you’re not going to drive me home,” Cheyenne said.

The two were touched and moved to tears.

“[It’s] so surreal . . . to know it can happen,” Kali said.

The students heard first hand how drinking and driving can end in tragedy.

Renee Napier, mother of four, took to the center of the auditorium and shared her story of love, loss and forgiveness.

The presentation began with a chilling video, an apology in the courtroom after a judge sentenced Eric Smallridge to 22 years in prison. He said he was sorry for taking the lives of 20-year-olds Meagan Napier and Lisa Dickson. Smallridge got behind the wheel after he had been drinking, crashed his vehicle and killed the two women on May 11, 2002, instantly.

“We never plan to bury our children,” Napier said.

At the time of the crash, Smallridge was just 24 years old. His blood alcohol level was .202, more than twice the legal limit.

“My heart was very heavy . . . I realized, there are no winners, nobody wins. Does it matter if Eric goes to jail for one year or one day? It wouldn’t bring Meagan or Lisa back,” Napier said.

Napier’s purpose for speaking out: don’t drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“It happens everyday and it’s something that can be stopped,” Napier said.

After sharing her emotions of shock and grief, Napier spoke of forgiveness. Just two years after Meagan’s death, Napier began traveling the region and telling Meagan’s story and the importance of her message. She began talking to Smallridge’s parents and then to Smallridge. She eventually forgave him, and in 2006, spoke with a judge about revisiting Smallridge’s sentence. He’s now serving his two 11-year sentences concurrently, rather than consecutively. That means instead of 22 years in prison, Smallridge will serve 11. Then, in 2010, Napier asked Smallridge if he would like to help her spread her message to anyone willing to listen.

That was about 40 presentations ago and Thursday’s was no different.

Smallridge walked out in front of the students with handcuffs on and two law enforcement men as escorts.

“This is what you can reduce your life to in four seconds.”

Smallridge explained his lifestyle before prison. He partied with friends and drove home drunk. His decision on May 11, 2002 changed his life and those around him forever. He’s served eight years in prison so far.

“I’m not here to tell you, you should, or shouldn’t drink. I’m just here to show you where it can lead.”

Smallridge said he always had a plan to get to a party but not a plan to get home. Today, he and Napier asked students to always have a plan and stick to it. Call a parent or someone you trust for a ride home.  

A message heard by students. “It was really moving, shows us not to drink and drive,” Kali said.

“To hear it from them, it means something more,” Cheyenne said.

The reality of death, told by those left behind.

“That’s my debt to society,” Smallridge said.

“I thought a DUI would be the worst thing . . . we’re talking about people’s lives.”

To learn more about Renee Napier's message log onto The Meagan Napier Foundation's website. You can help by making a donation to help Renee Napier and Eric Smallridge travel the state and talk to teens.