The impact of impaired driving: Too many death, injuries during summer

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Patrols Aug. 18 – Sept. 4

Each summer in Washington State, an average of 149 people die in traffic crashes. That is the deadliest season of the year on our roads. 



During all of 2016, impaired drivers were involved in crashes that resulted in 277 deaths and another 371 serious injuries. These crashes are tragic and adding to the tragedy, they are completely preventable.

That is why extra DUI patrols will be out statewide from Aug. 18 through Sept. 4. The patrols will be looking for drunk or drugged drivers, and will uphold all traffic laws.

In Grant, Adams, Lincoln and Ferry Counties, the Adams, Lincoln, Ferry, and Grant County Sheriff’s Offices, the Ephrata, Grand Coulee, Moses Lake, Othello, Quincy, Republic, Ritzville, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden Police Departments, and the Washington State Patrol will be canvassing the roadways in search of impaired drivers. 



The importance of these patrols is close to the heart of Jack Fletcher of Battle Ground. He was a happy and motivated teenager who loved snowboarding, hiking, playing rugby and hanging out with his friends.

He loved fire science and serving as a cadet chief with the fire cadet program. When Fletcher graduated from Prairie High School in June 2014, he headed to Central Oregon on a full ride fire science scholarship with the Crook County Fire and Rescue’s student firefighter training program.

Six weeks later, everything changed. Fletcher headed home from school hoping to surprise his family and some visiting relatives, but he never reached them.

Instead, a man who had been drinking beer and tequila shots with a friend was driving his big pick-up truck on the same highway in the opposite direction from Fletcher. Other drivers who called 911 reported that the truck driver was speeding and weaving across traffic lanes.

He was traveling about 80 mph when he hit Fletcher’s car head-on.

The emergency responders didn’t think Fletcher would live, given the extent of his injuries. He spent five days in a coma. His right arm was broken in three places. Some fingers on his right hand suffered amputations.

His right eye is blind. The impact shattered almost every bone in his face. He couldn’t talk. He couldn’t walk.

The most severe damage, traumatic brain injury, altered his short-term memory, focus and attention. 



He endured months of surgeries and a year of rehabilitation. In order to care for him, his mother had to quit her job. The medical costs were more than a half million dollars. 



To protect his brain from further injury Fletcher can’t play rugby or go snowboarding. His dream of becoming a firefighter has been put on hold.



None of this, however, has injured Fletcher’s spirit. Three years later, Fletcher hasn’t just survived; he has thrived. He has a new job with the Boys and Girls Club. He’s volunteering for Clark County Fire and Rescue. He is taking college courses.

He is driving again, and he is talking, a lot. Fletcher frequently talks at high school assemblies, driver education programs, at the Portland Legacy Emanuel Hospital’s court-ordered DUI program, and at church groups, to share his story and encourage others to make good decisions. 



His message: Drive sober and don’t let your friends drive if they’ve been drinking or using marijuana.


The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is designed to encourage all drivers to make the right choice. Designate a sober, drug-free driver, take a cab, catch a ride share, Uber, Lyft or walk with a friend.



These extra patrols are part of Target Zero—striving to end traffic deaths and serious injuries in Washington by 2030.

For more information, visit http://www.targetzero.com.