I was recently asked by my mom, Ann Briguglio, to write about my son, Kris Mansfield.
She is concerned that every year around prom and graduation time, there are high schoolers who believe that they can drink and drive and not cause any injuries or deaths. These kids are wrong, and my mom believes that my writing about what our family experienced will save a life, or perhaps many lives. In hope that it will, I agreed to share our story.
In January 2004, my son Kris Mansfield, who was then an airman first class working as a satellite communication specialist, received orders that he was to be deployed to Iraq. We, like any parents in our position, had many fears about our son working in a combat zone.
We avoided watching TV news, reading the papers and any conversations about the war. Instead, we prayed and affirmed our son's protection and safe return back to the States.
We were absolutely thrilled when on May 26, 2004, Kris called us from Baltimore and told us that his plane had just landed and that he would be back at Buckley AFB in Denver later that same day. By this time, Kris' new title was senior airman because of his actions in Iraq.
During the months of June and July 2004, Kris reunited with many family members in Colorado, Canada and Oneonta. It was a summer filled with stories, laughter, hugs and many smiles.
The Air Force then sent him back to Fort Gordon, Ga., for further training in the satellite communications field. Upon returning to Buckley AFB, Kris was to share his training with others in his line of work.
Kris never had the chance to do that. On Sept. 4, 2004, while riding his motorcycle home from work on base, and while wearing all of his safety equipment, including his helmet, special jacket, boots, gloves, and even florescent orange vest, Kris met with a drunken driver on Colorado Boulevard in Denver. All of Kris' safety equipment could not save his life.
The drunken driver, Mike Miranda, drank enough alcohol earlier in the day to have a blood-alcohol level of .217 _ the legal limit is .08. Kris parted from this life on Sept. 6, 2004.
We had him in our lives for 23 years and 7 months, and in a split second he was no longer here. His physical presence was gone forever. In just the blink of an eye, his life on earth was over. How paradoxical: He survived Iraq but could not survive a collision with a drunk driver on a Colorado street.
Sadly, this scene is repeated about once every 31 minutes in this country. Yes, a person dies every 31 minutes in this country due to the actions of drunken drivers. Most people do not know that from 15,000 to 17,000 Americans are killed every year as a result of the actions of drunken drivers.
Kris' death created a chasm in our family that no one and nothing will ever be able to fill. Even now, 31/2 years later, we suffer sleepless nights, we wonder what life would be like if Kris were still here. We wonder what he would be doing. Would he be married? Would he be a dad?
Because we strongly believe in life after life, we know that Kris is well, but that does not take away the pain of missing him, and nothing ever will. The deep impact of Kris' death extends to all members of his family, his friends, his community, and the U.S. Air Force.
Because of what happened, we'll never know about the good that he may have accomplished.
Mike Miranda's life changed dramatically as well. He is serving eight years in the Colorado State Penitentiary. His family also suffers as a result of his actions. He could not be present at his younger son's high school graduation. His license to practice law, which was his profession, was suspended.
So, to go back to my mom's request, here is the message: Drinking and driving do not mix. You cannot do both.
If you absolutely must drink, then, at least have a plan. Have a designated driver who is the person who is not drinking. Have the number of a taxi company or a towing company with you, and use it. Call a parent, aunt, uncle, friend or neighbor _ anyone who can come and take you home. They may be upset about losing some sleep, but they will be saved the pain of losing you.
Your life is important; your family loves you and wants you to live life to the fullest. You do not want to end your life prematurely, and you do not want to cause another person's death. Please, heed this and all of the warnings that you receive, and do not drink and drive.
In a split second, life as you know it can end.
___
Legg is a retired educator who was born and raised in Oneonta and currently lives in Windsor, Colo., where she is active in Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or MADD.
Print this story
E-mail this story
