On Wednesday night, February 15, 2006, a little after 9pm, a three year veteran of the BROWARD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) was killed by a 21 year old male with a suspended driver's license.
DEPUTY SHERIFF RYAN SEGUIN served his community for three years and was conducting a traffic stop on interstate 595 when a car left the roadway, veered onto the emergency shoulder, and crushed RYAN to death between the rear of his patrol car and the killer's car. RYAN died at the scene.
The driver who killed RYAN claimed a vehicle slowed down in front of him and he swerved to the right to avoid hitting the rear of the slowing vehicle (Florida State Statute {FSS} 316.0895 - Following Too Closely, FSS 316.1925 - Careless Driving) and did not see the flashing blue lights of RYAN'S patrol car until it was too late. Add that the driver had a history of speeding, Five {5} speeding citations in the past 18 months in two counties (FSS 316.183 - unlawful speed) and was currently operating his car WITH A SUSPENDED LICENSE!!!!(FSS 322.34).
His attorney claims the driver did not have drugs or alcohol in his system while Florida Highway Patrol Troopers have secured the driver's blood sample for testing, so that remains to be seen. BUT, I think this will be MORE tragic if the driver WAS sober.
For years now this country, police officers included, have kidded ourselves that we are being tough on drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs. It is true that we have reduced the number of injuries and deaths each year from DUI crashes and DUI arrest numbers have gone through the roof, yet the fact is that almost everyone in this country who drinks alcohol, regardless of frequency or amount, has driven while legally intoxicated AT LEAST once.
DUI is the ultimate, "well everyone is doing it", cop out crime. That is why DUI is only a Misdemeanor crime. That is why MOST people arrested for a DUI end up pleading it down to either reckless or careless driving and keep a DUI free license. That is why, in Florida you must be CONVICTED of DUI two times before your THIRD conviction (in a ten year period) is a Felony. So if I get a good lawyer I can plea to reckless driving a few times before I HAVE to take a DUI plea, only then does the count begin. So I could hypothetically have been ARRESTED FIVE TIMES FOR DUI AND STILL NOT FACED A FELONY CHARGE.
But the really frightening thought is that when we talk about Driving While Suspended (FSS 322.34) I can claim ignorance of the suspension at least once and be able to go to my court dates and be convicted of "Driving While Suspended" up to THREE times (1x without knowledge & 2x with knowledge) before my next conviction will be a Felony conviction. The State of Florida concludes you are a bad driver and such a danger to others that they take away your legal authority to drive a car, but the law is so weak that when I catch you driving anyway all the State does is slap your wrist and tell you not to do it again.
In RYAN'S tragic case the driver who killed him legally, morally, and any way you slice it SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DRIVING!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't say it any clearer than that. If that driver had obeyed the law and we as a community had made sure he didn't drive, RYAN would be alive today. You can't tell me that the family of the driver, which his lawyer rolled out to try to build sympathy for this man, didn't know this guy had no license. I'm sure he talked (or bitched) to his pals and family about how the dumbass judge believed the stupid cops and suspended his damn license. Better yet, and this is my supposition only, what if he failed to pay one or more of those 5 speeding tickets and basically told the State to go F it's self, cuz he ain't payin! One more time, I don't care how you slice it HE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DRIVING!!!!!
As for us, we ignore these things because they don't directly affect us and are really "not that big of a deal". After all "who really gets hurt by traffic law breakers?" It's another type of taxation, "The State just wants more money". These are only, "victimless crimes". I challenge any of you to look RYAN'S parents in the eyes and tell them THIS was a victimless crime.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel has a link to a news report by Broward County TV Station WB39. Their report is not accusatory, not hype, not about the money, not about the State's ambition to contol you, not about victimless crime, but about RYAN.
RYAN is dead.
My brother, is dead.
My son, is dead
My heart is broken, one more gut-wrenching time.
I will honor RYAN by attending his funeral and continuing his legacy to protect you, keep you safe, and make my community better. WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Broward County Sheriff's Office
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
go to the link and click on the "Killed in the Line of Duty" video report in the first column
