Wrong-way driver sentenced to 43 years. Are drunk drivers getting the fair punishment they deserve?
The drunk driver responsible for killing five people in the I-280 wrong way crash around Christmas has found out his time in jail. Gagnon's truck eventually slammed head-on into a mini-van carrying a family from Maryland. A mother and four children in the van died. Police had found Gagnon's blood-alcohol level twice the legal limit. The courtroom was packed with family members from both sides and you could hear weeping during the proceedings. Gagnon's attorney says this his client knows that his drinking and driving caused the accident and that it will haunt him for the rest of his life. He was sentenced to 43 years behind bars. At court Gagnon said,"No matter how long the sentence might be, I'll be serving a life sentence for the guilt and the pain I have caused everyone. Never will I be able to undo the damage that I have done and I am deeply sorry."
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Answered Undecided
OVER HALF OF THESE TYPE ACCIDENTS DO NOT INVOLVE DRINKING. SHOULDN'T THEY GET JUST AS MUCH PUNNISHMENT ? I MEAN,IF YOU FALL ASLEEP, OR WAS DISTRACTED BY A CELL PHONE, OR SPILLED COFFEE, OR WAS REACHING FOR A CD, IT IS STILL YOUR FAULT,RIGHT ? -
Answered Yes. This type of punishment for drunk drivers is fair enough. This man's guilty conscience will haunt him for the rest of his life.
I would have to change the answer to ".... this type of punishment for drunk drivers WHO COMMITTED MURDER....."
There are many different cases. You wouldn't give a drinking teen who bashed your mailbox in 43 years, would you? -
Answered Undecided
I think for a first time DUI, mandatory intervention should be a law. Rehab
or something like that BEFORE they are let out of jail. then a breathalizer
on their car and close follow up. I know one person in her early 40's who already shows signs of alcohol induced dementia, it's disgusting and painfull to see. What I have learned from alcoholoics is they need help and encouragement to stop. Because they cannot see when they started from and where they currently are in comparison. It's really sad and a complete waste of a life. -
Answered Undecided
I know that it sounds were to put undecided, but it would have to depend. Like did they kill someone or did they just do property damange. If they kill some one thow the book at them please. But if they do property damage, give them probation, put them under house arrest. -
Answered Undecided
drunk drivers do deserve a fair amount of time in jail but not what could be considered a life sentence!! especially when he didnt take anyones life!! just put you in his position (shoes) for a minute, would you want that for yourself? -sweetie♥ -
Answered Yes. This type of punishment for drunk drivers is fair enough. This man's guilty conscience will haunt him for the rest of his life.
The problem is that most drunk drivers do not get a stiff enough punishment and there is no excuse for such things as third time offender. -
Answered No. I wish that the death penalty was used more often. This guy deserves it.
He killed FIVE people. Drunk, not drunk. Who cares? He killed five people. If he took a gun and killed a woman and her four kids, people would sign up to strap him in the chair. Why is being drunk behind the wheel of a deadly machine somehow not the same as pulling the trigger of a deadly machine? Are they less dead because he's sorry? Sorry is good for his soul, but it is not justice. They died. He did it. Bye-bye. -
Answered Yes. This type of punishment for drunk drivers is fair enough. This man's guilty conscience will haunt him for the rest of his life.
Same thing in Kentucky. Church bus coming back from a great day from Kings Island with about 60 kids and adults on board. Toyota truck coming in the wrong lanes of the freeway and crashes head on into the bus. He hit the axel so hard it broke loose and swung under the bus and hit the fuel tank. 35 adults and kids died that night, a big chunk of Radcliff and Ft Knox personnel. I remember next week going by SFC home with him on the porch staring because he lost wife and 2 daughters. The butt driver lived. -
Answered Yes. This type of punishment for drunk drivers is fair enough. This man's guilty conscience will haunt him for the rest of his life.
I have held bloody bodies of little children in my arms as they died killed by person making a decision to drink then drive, they made the decision to drink while sober, yes they are getting what they deserve. I have worked hundreds of fatal accidents mostly from drunk driving what a waste of life for all concerned. -
Answered Undecided
I think the sentence was appropriate. Here in West Va, a repeat offender killed about as many people while driving drunk on an out-of-state license fraudulently obtained as his was revoked. He got about 40 years and will be a senior citizen when het is releast -
Answered Undecided
He was drinking and driving, however it was by his own choice. On the other hand yes he will be haunted with guilt the rest of his life. I am not quite sure which way to go, on one hand I want to see people like this get the life, but on the other hand if he was to forced to refrain from drinking the rest of his life, maybe this is enough time. -
Answered Yes. This type of punishment for drunk drivers is fair enough. This man's guilty conscience will haunt him for the rest of his life.
yes to this guy, but there are alot of people who are not punished correctly....depends on the Judge and lawyer....they should be dealt with severely -
Answered Yes. This type of punishment for drunk drivers is fair enough. This man's guilty conscience will haunt him for the rest of his life.
He didn't intend to kill. I think the death penalty should be reserved for the most horrible crimes, where the murderer has full knowledge and enjoys what they are doing. Apparently the 43 year sentence has no parole, so he'll serve the entire time...or die in jail. If he can do anything, no matter how small, to be of some worth, he deserves the chance. -
Answered Yes. This type of punishment for drunk drivers is fair enough. This man's guilty conscience will haunt him for the rest of his life.
Jail for life and make him literally pay for damages. Make him work tedious torturous work until he wishes he died. -
Answered Yes. This type of punishment for drunk drivers is fair enough. This man's guilty conscience will haunt him for the rest of his life.
I think he killed 5 people and should spend time behind bars thinking about what he has done and all families effected by his choice to drive drunk. -
Answered No. I wish that the death penalty was used more often. This guy deserves it.
The recent Supreme Court decision suggests that the death penalty may be used if the victime dies as a result of the convicted felon's actions. State lawmakers need to change the laws. -
Answered Undecided
Anyone can say that he will feel guilt for the rest of there lives, ANYONE. So I'm not really sure how you can tell who's full of shit and who isn't. I couldn't even begin to explain how hard i've thought about stuff like this, and i still haven't decided on what i think is right.
Answered Yes. This type of punishment for drunk drivers is fair enough. This man's guilty conscience will haunt him for the rest of his life.
I can't tell you how many times I've seen these jerks on the road & almost been hit myself. They should be thrown behind bars & never be able to get behind the wheel of a car again.