The following information was included in the Cape Cod Times March 14, 2007 article titled "Crash spurs fresh call for tougher state laws" written by reporter George Brennan. The full article can be found in the links section on the left side of this site. I am shocked that Christopher G. Parker hasn't been incarcerated before this time.
As you read through this list of offenses and convictions I hope you share my shock that this man was even allowed out of prison..and he is still out on the streets! Who will his reckless actions affect next? I have learned Mr. Parker has a young son. Mr Parker's irresponsible actions not only took my mother's life and caused injuries to the driver of the NStar truck but his son will grow up without a father if we are successful in placing Mr Parker behind bars.
Please think of the total consequences if you are tempted to drink or use drugs (illegal or not) and choose to drive while you are impaired in any way. This record goes to show once again the total lack of respect that Christopher G. Parker has for anything or anyone except himself. I guess he believes that the laws of the State of Massachusetts apply to everyone except himself. No wonder he didn't seem too upset while he was in court yesterday - he is a pro at this!
May 21, 1982: Charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, West Bridgewater. Convicted Dec. 17, 1982.
Sept. 28, 1982: Charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, Hingham. Convicted Dec. 17, 1982. Ordered to attend alcohol treatment program.
April 6, 1998: Charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, Sandwich. Convicted June 29, 1998. Ordered to attend 45 day treatment program.
March 21, 1999: Charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, Sandwich. Convicted
April 20, 1999. License revoked for two years and ordered to attend alcohol treatment program.
June 14, 2002: Charged with operating under the influence of drugs, Sandwich. Dismissed June 12, 2003.
Over the past 25 years, he has also been cited for speeding five times, causing an accident once and driving without an inspection sticker once.
Source: Registry of Motor Vehicles
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3 comments:
Susan, I first want to tell you how sorry I am for your loss. My prayers are that no family should have to go through what you are going through due to the selfish and senseless acts of others. It seems that we will always have people in our society who think that if the drink or drug and drive, then nothing will happen.
As a law enforcement professional (on cape cod), I want you to know we are out there on a constant basis looking for impiared drivers. It seems for that every one we catch, there are 5 to 10 others who are not caught. I must also tell you of our frustrations after the suspects are caught. Although Melanie's law is a good step forward, it is no where near the solution.
Too many drunk drivers face little or no penalties in our state because of our far to liberal drunk driving laws. If a suspect does not take a breath test after arrest, that can not be brought up at trial. One of our most accurate road side tests, the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, can not be testified to in court because it is deemed "too technical" by our district attorney. I don't know of any other state in the union where this is the case. And one of our states biggest problems, too much power is left in the hands of judges who still do not seem to realize that drunk driving is a serious problem in Massachusetts.
Finally, as a certified drug recognition expert, I can tell you our laws and the way we handle driving under the influence of drug charges in Massachusetts is far and away behind the other states. If a driver refuses to go through the examination process and provide a sample, there are no penalties. They can leave a police department with their license still in hand. I know of only one district court in our state which will allow drug recognition experts testify. Which then leads to almost all of the driving while under the influence of drugs charges being dropped or pled out to a lesser crime. The process for detection and testing of drug impaired drivers is very reliable and is being used to great success in other states. For some reason, our court system and state feels that the proven and tested methods being used in other states are not good enough for Massacusetts.
I just wanted to send you a quick note again to tell you how sorry I am for you and your families loss. I also commend you for using this loss as motivation to change our failing system. With more people like you, maybe we can create laws and an environment in which there will be no more loss of life to impaired drivers.
I was under some tweaked out impression that if you get three DUIs you go to jail?????? (On cape also here)
-Angela Hogan
Rick, thank you for your kind words and frank thoughts on the drunk (or drugged) driving laws. I appreciate your point of view.
Angela, I was also under the impression that he would be in jail, and yet he is still out on the streets, possibly still driving for all we know. I can't convey my exasperation enough on this site. Over and over I ask "Why is he not in jail?" and I have yet to hear an answer. I sent out another 45 letters today to our Gov. officials, so far I've only heard back from three of the 35 letters I sent out early last week. The apathy towards constiuents of most of these people, who were elected into office, appalls me.
Thanks to you both for your comments,
Sue
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