Justice For Danny?

 Roadside memorial for Daniel Haley, age 24, Rt. 116 Amherst/Hadley border

Every time somebody tells me to just "wait until there's a tragedy" so town and state officials will get deadly serious and do something about the prevalence of alcohol induced mayhem in our Happy Valley, I cringe.  

In fact, I get downright angry. 

Because I know that tragedy has already occurred, snatching from friends and family a promising young life just starting to hit stride.

Daniel Haley, age 24,  was only weeks away from graduating UMass/Amherst, an endeavor he worked hard to accomplish -- covering both the study requirements of a chemical engineering major as well as working to cover the cost of higher education. 

He was killed by Brittini Benton of Sunderland, also age 24, who was driving the wrong way on Rt 116 in Hadley, while under the influence of alcohol.  A lot of it! (BAC of 0.179, more than twice the legal limit).

A second offense no less.

But Ms. Benton, unlike Daniel Haley, will continue to age.  Only now she will do it from the cramped confines of a prison cell.  For the next five to seven years.

I asked a family member, great uncle Mike Haley, if he was satisfied with the outcome of the trial and the punishment recently meted out to Ms. Benton by our justice system.

Mr. Haley said the sentencing had brought "some form of closure" but obviously it was a "very hard day for the family."  Mike Haley and  Daniel's cousin -- who was more like a sister -- read prepared statements and the assistant DA read the statement of Daniel Haley's heartbroken mother.

The sentencing had been delayed three months so Ms. Benton, who became pregnant after the accident, could have her child.

The "system" allowed her back on the road only seven month after the first DUI.  The system delayed sentencing for over three months so she could bring a child into the world.

And not all that many years from now, the system will allow Brittini Benton back into a our free society; and who knows, maybe even allow her to drive a car again.

 "I only wish Danny had that opportunity," said Mike Haley somberly.

And if Massachusetts made interlock ignition switches mandatory after the FIRST offense for DUI, that alone would have saved him.  

#####

Time to close the loopholes

Weekend Wrap (in a "College Town")

 Small herd of students Fearing Street Saturday night 11:25 PM

So it was neither the best of times -- although the weather on Saturday was pretty perfect -- or the worst of times -- considering how bad things have gotten before around this time of year.

Friday into early morning Saturday seemed once again to be the worst of times for Amherst Fire Department, as once again an ETOH (alcohol OD) incident occurred at a time when all five ambulances were out, many of them for ETOH students, and had to be handled by "mutual aid," courtesy of Belchertown FD.

As usual the ETOH calls came during the Third Watch, starting around midnight, with an ETOH male at UMass.  Dispatch called the ambulance en route to inform them there was another patient, also possible ETOH, who had fallen and hit his head while at the UMPD lock up. 

AFD transported one to Cooley Dickinson Hospital and UMPD kept the other in "protective custody."

At 1:15 AM an ambulance responded to the s curves in Shutesbury for a downed motorcyclist, and since that is at the farthest reaches of the AFD protection zone it would tie up an ambulance for well over an hour.

At 1:19 AM another ETOH UMass student fell and hit his head at Kennedy Dorm Southwest high rise.  As all our ambulances were tied up dispatch sent a firetruck with emergency first responders who stabilized the patient until Belchertown FD arrived to transport (A fire engine cannot transport patients).

Around 1:30 AM AFD responded to Gorman Dorm for a male student who had taken "liquid THC."  That too was initially handled by Engine 3 until an AFD ambulance could arrive to transport. 

Saturday was a very busy day in town with traffic backed up in the center for most of the morning and early afternoon.  In addition to the usual Farmers Market the town common was also hosting the Fall Apple Harvest Festival, and of course McMurphy's Uptown Tavern was attracting a hoard of college aged youth dressed in green and wearing tacky plastic Irish hats for the "Half Way To Blarney Blowout" non-event.

AFD responded to a "box alarm" (meaning smoke had been detected by an actual witness) to a UMass dorm around 1:30 PM.  The fire -- quickly extinguished by UMass Environmental Health & Safety -- was caused by a candle, and AFD engines stayed on scene to ventilate the building.

 Emerson Dorm, UMass 1:45 PM Saturday

Around 6:00 PM AFD responded to two potential Q-5 (suicide) incidents in different parts of town, one where young lady had cut her wrists.

As the gorgeous day became night the calls turned to the usual drugs/alcohol related:  Around 10:00 PM AFD responded to UMass for a female student who had "smoked something and now feels funny."  I'm guessing it was not a carcinogenic cigarette.

 AFD at 51 Phillips Street for ETOH female 11:15 PM

An hour or so later an ambulance (and APD) responded to 51 Phillips Street for an ETOH young female; and 15 minutes later another ambulance was needed at Townhouse Apartments for a young female "dazed and confused."

AFD on scene 50 Meadow Street 11:30 PM

By 1:00 AM AFD would respond two more times to UMass for ETOH students. Keep in mind the Red Sox playoff games have not even started, and it's not yet Halloween.

The (down) beat goes on ...

   AFD Sept End Runs by larry_kelley_1

Fog Of War

So when the fog lifts this morning homeowners along Pelham Road will have a sorry sight to behold

 Somebody left a trail of destruction, targeting innocent mailboxes as part of their drunken hijinks 

Mailbox down!

Meanwhile, not far from the scene of the crime, it looks like the boys at 807 Main Street had a party last night.  Hmm ...

807 Main Street (turns into Pelham Road)

Blarney Blew It

McMurphy's Uptown Tavern 1:00 PM

Even though the "Half Way To Blarney Blowout!" promotion disappeared from their Facebook page only 24 hours after it was first posted (long enough to get over 130 "people are going" responses) that did not stop college aged youth from lining up at their door starting well before noon. 

McMurphy's Facebook page September 19 (since deleted)

Before this weekend even started ETOH (alcohol OD) transports by Amherst Fire Department to Cooley Dickinson Hospital so far this month were tied with last year's September total. 

Last night into early this morning there were at least four ETOH runs.

And based on the line at McMurphy's this morning, today's gorgeous weather, and what happened last year at the Blarney Blowout, tonight could be alcoholically epic.

Bring It Home AC

 New Field House

When the unbeaten Lord Jeffs take the field later this afternoon for their home opener against Bowdoin, they will be playing second fiddle to their spectacular playing field as today marks the first time Amherst College Pratt Field will host a football game after a mega-million dollar renovation. 

 

What's left of mainstream media will have nifty new press box

 

Newly realigned banked running track 

Best seats in the house

 

Amherst:  Where only the h is silent (or, even the h)

Camperdown Elm almost became collateral damage but was gently moved (at $100K cost) out of the way

Things That Go Bump ...

 1st of five speed bumps Lincoln Avenue

After many years of wishing and hoping and a false start or two, the "speed calming" efforts via more permanent speed bumps on Lincoln Avenue are now in place -- all five of them. And nearby Dana Street and Blue Hills Road as well.

Curiously only the middle section of Lincoln Avenue between Amity Street and Fearing Street have the built in obstacles as apparently homeowners on the other two stretches of Lincoln Avenue were not overly enthusiastic about them.

 Amity Street Lincoln Avenue intersection

Probably because they did not look forward to having their teeth rattled every time they left their driveway.

Residents in the bumper zone hope the new project will not only slow traffic down but perhaps, if regular commuters get seasick from the obstacles, they may choose an alternate route.

 

Rt. 9 Lincoln intersection no bumps down to Amity.  Also not repaved

Phil Jackson, a main instigator for the project, is hoping UMass will do a traffic study later this spring to determine if those lofty goals are met.

Meanwhile, residents on neighboring Fearing Street are waiting to see if the project drives more traffic down their street.  The town had talked about installing speed bumps on Fearing Street as well, but nothing ever came of it. 

Of course it will not be long now before town officials start hearing reminders. 

Strike!

 Striking union workers, Triangle Street, near the High School

So no, I don't know the particulars of the grievances the union has against Warner Brothers, Inc or Gagliarducci Construction Corp -- but I do know from first hand experience, as a proud member of the Teamsters Union thirty year ago, that strikes are kind of like nuclear weapons:  most effective when used as a threat, but destructive when actually detonated.

But strike they have done.  

Since the International Union of Operating Engineers Local Union 98 is involved with the reconstruction on Triangle Street it has now become a town concern, as that important project seems to have come to a standstill.

 North Pleasant Street, UMass

Both construction companies have a reputation for doing excellent work (one reason they won the construction bids).  But you only do good work by hiring highly skilled workers.

I hope they work it out.  Soon.