ATHENS —
When Tammi Branch hears a siren, it takes her back to a night that changed her life.
Branch told the Athens Kiwanis Club Tuesday that emotions still well up when she thinks of the death of her 18-year-old son in 2009, when the car he was riding in left the roadway and struck a tree.
“Eric got in a car with a friend,” Branch said. “They both had been drinking.”
Gun Barrel City police reports at the time stated the car was traveling at a high rate of speed when it left the roadway on Legendary Lane, hit a telephone post then reportedly traveled 142 feet in the air. The car then continued south before going through a chain-link fence. It came to rest only after striking a tree.
The 19-year-old driver survived the crash and was ultimately sentenced to seven years in prison for intoxicated manslaughter.
These days, Branch spends much of her time trying to prevent more accidents like the one that claimed her son. As a MADD volunteer, she talks with many of the youth drunken driving offenders spread out over 40 East Texas counties.
“I’ve just had 15 kids sent to me in the last month alone from the judicial district,” Branch said.
According to law enforcement statistics, by the time a person is convicted of driving while intoxicated he or she has driven under the influence about 80 times.
“Last year, I sat in on the sentencing of a man who had been arrested for his 10th DWI,” Branch said.
Because the offender was 74 years old, he was given a 20-year probated sentence.
Branch said the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office contacts MADD if there is a new DWI victim or a trial the organization might be interested in.
“If you’ve got three or more DWIs and you’re going to court, you’re going to look up and see one of us sitting in that courtroom,” Branch said.
The mission statement for MADD lists the three major goals of the organization:
• Stop drunk driving;
• Support the victims;
• Prevent underage dri-nking.
Branch said MADD recently added driving while impaired by drugs as a focus of the organization.
MADD was founded by Candy Lightner about 30 years ago following the death of her 13-year-old daughter. MADD today stands for more than just mothers, but also includes fathers, brothers and sisters as well as volunteers.
Local News
On a personal mission
MADD mom says group’s focus hits home
- Local News
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Millionaires Club
Tom Denton, who has led efforts to gather tabs from cans, continues the battle to provide housing for parents of children hospitalized while they are away from home.
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Good as gold
The Henderson County Farm and Ranch Tour pulls out Tuesday morning as it has for half a century, but this time, from a new location.
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A little Hope for West
On Thursday, April 18, West, Texas changed. The small community was shocked and devastated with a fertilizer plant explosion. Lives were lost, hundreds were injured and homes and buildings were flattened.
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AISD trustees approve agreements at meeting
Action items were all approved Thursday by the Board of Trustees of Athens Independent School District. The approvals were made at their regular meeting.
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A future investment
Harry and Patti Hogue present a check for $500 to go toward the Splash Pad at Kiwanis Park in Athens. The fund-raising effort is nearing the finish line for the $220,000 project, although donations are still being sought. The Splash Pad is expected to be open some time this summer.
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Ultimate sacrifice
Peace officers from across Henderson County gathered on the courthouse square Thursday afternoon to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
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Ideas on display
Charles Parker can do some pretty fancy things with your kitchen utensils and old golf clubs.
Parker’s ideas can be seen on display Saturdays at the Athens Farmers Market. This is his third year to bring his crafts to be sold. -
iPads trim costs
Keeping pace with new technology, Henderson County Justices of the Peace can potentially save thousands of dollars through the use of iPads.
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Fly-in to help with awareness of airport
Mark your calendar for June 1. Athens will be busy with the Old Fiddlers Reunion and Walk a Mile in Her Shoes events.
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AISD hires PBK architects
Athens Independent School District Blake Stiles believes one of the biggest considerations rendered at Thursday’s school board meeting was to choose a company that will carry out construction for security at Athens High School and Athens Middle School. The contractor is known as a construction manager at risk.
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