Shattered in a Moment: The emotional terrorism of driving intoxicated that took the life of our bright shining star, Aidan River Starkey and the repeat offender who is still free

   It was a typical Wednesday evening, with the sun dipping below the horizon as 20-year-old Aidan River Starkey left his workplace, unaware that his journey home would be his last. A drunk driver named Travis Wheeler with no insurance and driving a large truck and horse trailer, with reckless abandon and a blood alcohol concentration so far beyond legal limits, made a decision that extinguished a young, promising, magical life. As Aidan's mother, I grapple with a staggering grief that is all-consuming, an inexplicable pain magnified by the harsh reality of the drunk driving crisis being ignored in this country—a crisis marked by staggering statistics and a frustrating lack of comprehensive legislative action.

The Harrowing Numbers

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) paints a grim picture: over 10,000 lives lost annually due to drunk driving. That's an average of 28 deaths every day—mothers, fathers, children, friends, ripped away from their loved ones. My son, Aidan, is now part of this tragic statistic, a number that represents an immeasurable loss for families across the country.

But these numbers, as staggering as they are, only scratch the surface of the issue. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in 2022 alone, nearly 38% of all traffic-related deaths in the United States were due to alcohol-impaired driving. Yet, despite these alarming figures, the response from our legislative bodies remains lackluster at best.

Legislative Shortcomings

The patchwork of laws across different states creates a confusing and often ineffective legal framework. While the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08% nationwide, enforcement and penalties vary widely. This inconsistency does little to deter repeat offenders, who, according to the NHTSA, account for about one-third of all drivers arrested or convicted of drunk driving. The message is clear: our current approach is failing.

Moreover, the issue of drunk driving is not confined to late-night hours. Aidan's life was taken at 6 pm, a time when roads are bustling with commuters. This underscores a disturbing reality: the threat of drunk driving is ever-present, not restricted to the stereotypical late-night bar-goer.

A Global Perspective

Internationally, many countries have taken more aggressive steps to combat drunk driving. For instance, Sweden and Australia have implemented rigorous laws and public education campaigns that have successfully reduced drunk driving incidents. Their proactive approach, combining lower BAC limits and strict enforcement, offers valuable lessons for the U.S.

A Mother's Call to Action

As I navigate this unbearable loss, my mission is clear: to advocate for change in memory of Aidan and the thousands of others lost to this preventable tragedy. We need uniform, stringent laws across the nation, enhanced enforcement strategies, and comprehensive educational programs that address the dangers of drunk driving.

Technology, too, must play a role. Mandating ignition interlock devices for all DUI offenders could be a game-changer, preventing impaired individuals from operating a vehicle. We also need to foster a culture where choosing to drive under the influence is socially unacceptable, where friends and communities actively intervene to prevent potential tragedies.

In Aidan's Memory

The image of Aidan, with his infectious smile, boisterous laugh, unrivaled compassion, and dreams (for his spectacular future, which he painstakingly worked for and flawlessly mapped out,) is etched in my heart. His aspirations and his potential were all extinguished in a senseless act. In a single moment after being overserved at 2 different bars, his life, my life and the lives of his siblings were stolen. This is not just my loss; it's a loss for our community and our society. Aidan's killer has not spent more than a few hours in jail, despite an airtight case against him. There isn't even a mugshot! The Maricopa County attorney's office has let my son's killer return to another state where he is frequently seen leaving local bars visibly intoxicated and driving away in his truck, just like the night my shining star was taken from us. I cannot get the state or even society to act appropriately, but what I can do is scream Aidan's name on not only his behalf but on behalf of every life stolen, every heart broken and every governing body that did not take action when we needed it. Aidan Rivers Starkey. Hear it. Say it. Keep saying it until someone hears us. The State of Arizona may not be punishing Aidan's killer, but I will make sure that he haunts not only his killer but every single person who is not taking action to prevent his killer from doing this to another family. I will fight for his justice until my dying breath. I stand in awe of my little star. How he could touch so many lives in the time he was hear is beyond me. He was building his legacy on "Love hard, Work hard, Play hard" and the result was a beautiful and authentic life well lived. I will not let his death be his legacy!

 Sharing Aidan's story is my plea to you, to our lawmakers, and to anyone who gets behind the wheel: let us not wait for another life to be lost before we act. We have the tools, the knowledge, and, most importantly, the moral obligation to prevent these tragedies. It's time for a collective, resolute stand against drunk driving. In Aidan's name, and in the names of all those we've lost, we must commit to making our roads safer. We owe it to them, to ourselves, and to future generations.

- Ashton Prescott, A Mother Forever Changed