Students get close-up look at DUI aftermath

Rain drops trickled down the crumpled metal of a wrecked car parked in front of Marianna High School Friday.
It was inside that twisted frame that Meagan Napier drew her last breath, after a drunk driver caused the vehicle to crash just a day before Mother’s Day in 2006 in Gulf Breeze.
With the help of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and local business sponsors, Meagan’s mother, Renee Napier, and the car were brought to Marianna High, where she urged students not to drink and drive.
“There are so many students out there,” Jackson County Sheriff Lou Robert said stage-side at the school auditorium. “If we can make an impression on just one of them, we’ve made a big difference.”
The presentation began with compelling footage of the man responsible for Meagan and her friend Lisa Dickson’s deaths — Eric Smallridge, 25, stood before a filled courtroom, hysterical after learning he’d serve 30 years in prison for DUI manslaughter.
“I would honestly give my life instead,” he cried out in the courtroom footage.
“I truly believe that if you had been in that courtroom, I would not need to be here today,” Napier told the audience at the high school.
Prior to the presentation, Napier said her reason for being there was to prevent others from experiencing the tragedy she faced as a result of drinking and driving.
“I have a lofty goal. I want to stop drunk driving, period,” Napier said. “I’m in no way condoning under age drinking, but I’m not stupid. I know that it happens. That’s why I’m here.”
Napier told the story of the days leading up to her 20-year-old daughter’s death.
They weren’t eventful — simply loving exchanges and typical conversation between mother and daughter.
Napier recalled asking her daughter to be with her on Mother’s Day. Meagan agreed and the two women got off the phone after telling each other “I love you,” Napier said.
“Please, I can’t express this enough, end all of your conversations, whatever you’re talking about, on a good note ... I’m at peace knowing that the last time I talked to Meagan I told her I love her,” Napier said.
Napier said she’s become friends with Smallridge’s family. That forgiveness was essential and a part of her healing.
Smallridge was featured in an interview in the video presentation, taking complete responsibility for the crime. He described his life in prison and the guilt he lives with daily.
Imagine having to live day in and day out with 70 roommates that you don’t get to pick, Smallridge said.
He noted that his roommates range from thieves to child molesters to murderers.
His acknowledgement that driving under the influence was the most selfish act of his life compelled the Napiers and Dicksons to speak on his behalf at a recent judicial hearing. As a result, he’ll be released early in 2013, Napier said.
There is one other man who lives with guilt from the deaths of Meagan Napier and Dickson, Napier told the audience.
Napier identified him as Michael a young man who attempted to stop a drunken Smallridge from getting behind the wheel, but ultimately relented.
What Michael didn’t anticipate, Napier said, was that five to 10 minutes later, Smallridge would cause the death of two young women Michael once referred to as “sisters.”
During Smallridge’s trial, Michael was asked on the stand why he didn’t stop Smallridge from driving. Napier said he didn’t have an answer.
“I’m not a violent person, but I could tell you I would wrestle a person to the ground to keep them from driving drunk,” Napier said. “Personally, I have succeeded at letting the air out of someone’s tires. It works. And this may not seem very cool, but you can call the cops ... Your friend probably won’t be arrested as long as they don’t get behind that wheel.”