In an effort to ‘prevent others from making the same mistake,’ the mourning spouse of a man who was murdered when a motorist under the influence of drugs lost control of his vehicle and struck and killed a father of two.
Richie Jordan, age 33, was a passenger in the Mercedes driven by Mark Thompson, a coworker.
Now, Mr. Jordan’s companion, Carol King, has requested that the dashcam video of the accident be made public in the hopes that others may reconsider driving under the influence.
“I used to be the one who read about these horrible situations,” the 30-year-old remarked.
Then it occurred inside my family.
People do not realize that when under the influence of alcohol or drugs, all inhibitions and common sense vanish. Other road users, pedestrians, and even your own passengers’ and your own safety do not register and are not questioned; the irresponsibility spirals entirely out of control.
‘Before Richie departed I definitely wouldn’t question someone who had been drinking but you see it all the time, people straining the rules.
“I’ll only have a few,” “it’s just down the street,” and “I’ll be OK, it will just take five minutes”
Now, I would not hesitate to challenge someone I know to be above the limit.
“On the night Richie died, exactly that occurred,”
A lot of choices were taken without consideration or opposition.
It has ruined the lives of so many individuals. One instant — getting behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol and drugs — and for what?’ Mr. Jordan, a non-league player, was a passenger in the automobile that collided near Houghton-le-Spring in August 2019.
Lewis Atkinson, who was in the driver’s seat, had a cerebral hemorrhage.
Ms. King, from Sunderland, found she was pregnant with Mr. Jordan’s second child only weeks after losing her husband.
Ms. King will raise her two young daughters without their father.
She added, “I now have two little girls, Quinn, four, and Gray, two, who have yet to really realize their loss and the magnitude of what has occurred.”
The rippling impact of that night was transferred to two tiny children, who had to bear the weight before their lives even began.
Thompson, of Seaton Crescent, Seaham, County Durham, pleaded guilty to causing death and severe harm by reckless driving.
The 42-year-old was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison and received a three-year driving prohibition upon his release.
Now, Ms. King has requested that Northumbria Police distribute the tape in part of a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about drinking and drugged driving that will run for the next two weeks.
Northumbria Police’s Operation Dragoon squad will conduct roadside enforcement and educate motorists on the hazards of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Ms. King said, ‘Campaigns like this are extremely vital, which is why we wanted to distribute the video today in the hopes of preventing others from repeating the same errors committed that night.
Since Richie’s death, we’ve all been trying to make sense of it; it must have been for a reason. There must be a silver lining or a lesson to be learned.
“Thus, when you see someone contemplating driving under the influence, think about Richie. Think about my daughters and recall the narrative you are now reading; a story similar to the ones I previously read may become your own reality, just as it is for me. Northumbria Police’s Operation Dragoon squad Sergeant Glen Robson said, “By deciding to go behind the wheel, you are gambling with people’s lives.”
As this terrible instance demonstrates, it may have catastrophic repercussions and destroy several lives in an instant.
This film depicting the last moments of Richie’s life is jarring and distressing.
“We are publishing it for a purpose – to help spread the word.”
“We are all responsible for helping to make our roads as safe as possible for all road users. Those who disregard the law and gamble with the lives of others will be punished severely.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council’s campaign against drinking and driving will continue through August 28.