EVERY FIFTEEN MINUTES Fake car accident leaves two dead, one paralyzed By Katelyn Parsley Editor-in-Chief
T
he judge’s voice echoes in the courtroom. “On the first count of manslaughter, I find Colby Dow guilty and sentence you to 20 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. On the second count of manslaughter, I also find you guilty and sentence you to 20 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. On the third count of driving while intoxicated, I find you guilty. I again sentence you to 20 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. How old are you right now Colby?” “I’m 18, sir,” said Dow. “Do you realize you will not leave prison until you are 78 years old?” When the realization hits Dow, his mouth and his eyes drop grimly.
It has just set in that he is responsible for recklessly killing two young girls and paralyzing another, and even though it was only a simulation of something that could have happened, it feels more real than Dow ever imagined. Every two years, Every Fifteen Minutes portrays the consequences of driving under the influence. This year, Kennedy McDuffie, Aricia Dami and Sam Douglas were the victims of the simulated car accident, while Colby Dow was the drunk driver. Both Dami and Douglas were killed in the accident, and McDuffie was paralyzed. Dow was taken into custody on scene and removed to the court house, where he sat in front of a judge and was tried as if he really did commit the crime. More on page 8 Photo by Alec Fischmann
Volume 14, Issue 4
May 2013