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Vigil Honors Crash Victims

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By JOYCE McKENZIE

jmckenzie@tampatrib.com

Published: December 10, 2008

TEMPLE TERRACE - An organization that was born out of grief by a leader in search of awareness celebrated its 25th candlelight vigil on Thursday at the Temple Terrace United Methodist Church.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving's Tampa chapter founder Linda Unfried, whose sister Josie was killed in 1983 by a drunken driver, was at the helm of the annual event, which in its infancy drew about 50 participants.

By comparison, an estimated 450 people gathered this year to honor the victims - many deceased and others severely injured - of drunken driving crashes.

Unfried is proud of the impact the volunteer organization has had over the years. Among its accomplishments are helping to raise the legal drinking age to 21 and lowering the legal limit of blood alcohol to .08.

"Together we are making a difference," said Unfried, who touted the work of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies throughout the Tampa Bay area.

During the walk of memories in the church courtyard, scores of law enforcement officers stood at attention next to their vehicles, each with its lights flashing amid the evening's darkness.

The presence of police officials and passage of more stringent drunken driving laws in recent years, however, did not help ease the pain for Jennifer Doerfel, who lost her brother Josh, 24, to a car crash caused by impaired driver on Nov. 28, 2007.

"I loved my brother very much. ... Josh lived to help others," she said. "Just a week before his death he learned he was going to be a father. He will never know his son, Josh, who is named after his dad."

Tampa Police Officer Tara Edwards was injured in a drunken driving crash on May 5.

"I remember it like it was yesterday - I broke my leg, my nose and my arm," she said. "I feel guilty because there are those who didn't make it. But I'm most appreciative for God's grace in letting me be here."

Sheriff's Deputy Gus Garcia is also grateful to be alive and recovered from brain surgery as the result of injuries he suffered when hit by an impaired driver.

"I was here last year having the hope I could get back to my job," he said. "Today I'm back. I want to tell everyone here there is hope at the end of the road."

The threesome lighted individual candles: Doerfel's was in the name of grief and love; Edwards' in the name of injury and law enforcement; and Garcia's in the name of hope.

They were followed by attendees who had been solemnly seated in the packed pews of the church, each trying to remain strong in the face of anguish and loss as they lit candles for their loved ones.

Among them was Tammy Rosian, the mother of Jennifer O'Boyle, who on Sept. 10 was killed in a head-on crash on the Selmon Crosstown Expressway. The other vehicle, which was driven by Cheryl Maria Riemann of Ruskin, was going the wrong way.

Accompanying Rosian was her 4-year-old granddaughter Summer Moll, who was in a wheelchair with her legs outstretched and covered with blankets. Moll, who was severely injured and was not expected to live, has undergone three surgeries since the crash, with more to follow.

"I light a candle for my mommy in heaven," Summer said softly. That was followed by Rosian's. "I light a candle for my beloved daughter I recently lost in an accident on the Crosstown."

Interspersed throughout the two-hour ceremony were performances of "Amazing Grace" by the handbell choirs of the Temple Terrace and Van Dyke United Methodist churches and songs, including "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "You Raise Me Up," sung by the MADD Contemporary Choir.

Members of the Temple Terrace Junior Woman's Club also passed out paper hearts - compliments of the Tampa Junior Woman's Club - with flower seeds imbedded in them for planting and as reminders of the beautiful times spent with those who have died.

"The prayer vigil is a very humbling experience. It really touches our hearts," said Anita Long, a Temple Terrace Junior Woman's Club member. "No one should have to go through the pain and suffering of losing a loved one or being maimed for life."

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849.

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