Why We Walk

Dadbrian hood

Brian Hood was a kind and engaging person with a smile that would light up a room.  He was the kind of person who made friends easily and made those around him feel special.  He loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed hiking.  He was a young man who knew who he was and where he wanted to go in life.  He had plans to return to college to complete a business degree.  He had a mother, father, step-father, brother, step-siblings, and a large extended family who loved him dearly.

On September 18, 1998, Brian’s life was cut short by a drunk driver with a BAC of .19.  September 18th, 2018 marked the 20th anniversary of Brian's death.  His family and friends still miss him every moment of every day and are still devastated by this tragedy.  Time does not heal all wounds.

 

                

tim chou

Tim was a young man filled with a passion for becoming a United States Marine.  This dream did not come easy for him.  As a young child he suffered from kidney problems that would see him hospitalized many times over seven or eight years. 

Still, he persevered.  He enlisted in the marines at the age of 19, and completed his basic training.  After basic training, he came home on leave to visit his family.  At the end of his leave, as he was heading back to Camp Pendleton, his vehicle was struck by an impaired driver.  Tim had been pulled over on the side of the road when the impaired driver attempted to illegally pass a truck on the right.  He hit Tim’s vehicle from behind, pushing it into a tree.  Tim suffered a head injury that killed him on impact.

Tim’s family, especially his mother, was left completely devastated by his loss.  Their pain was compounded by the fact that the impaired driver was released on bail to await trial, but never appeared in court for the trial.  He has never been apprehended, so has never been held responsible for this violent crime. 

 

jessica rose percell

From the time Jessica was born she was such a joy.  She had a beautiful smile and beautiful brown eyes.  She had the best personality and sense of humor.  Everyone who knew her loved to be around her. 

Jessica had big hopes and dreams for her future.  She hadn't quite figured out what her profession would be but she knew she wanted to go to college, get a good job, then get married and have children.  She always said she wanted quite a few. She loved kids. 

The night of the crash Jessica was staying the night with friends.  One of the girls called a boy she had a crush on, Will, and asked him to come pick them up.  Will agreed and said they could go to a party with him.  They had no idea he had already been drinking.  Then, on the way to the party, Will spotted his ex-girlfriend with her new boyfriend.  In anger, he turned around and started chasing them.  He was speeding and driving erratically.  The girls were crying and begging him to slow down.  He didn’t.  He crashed, ejecting Jessica from the vehicle.  Jessica spent a week on life support before passing away from her injuries.

Will served six years in prison, but we are serving a life sentence of grief as we miss our sweet girl every day, with every breath we take.  She was the best daughter and sister one could ever ask for, and we loved her more than words can express.

 

mark stoeffler

That August summer day in Eugene was warm and beautiful.  Mark left home on a bike ride with his best friend John. 

Unknown to Mark and John, a day-long high school class reunion was being held in Armitage Park by the river. The party was ending as Mark and John passed the entryway to the park.  A very drunk man, who had been arguing with his wife over his ability to drive, raced out of the park and plowed into Mark.  The force of the speeding pickup twisted his bike, throwing him to the pavement then into the pickup windshield, 60 feet over John and into the ditch, breaking Mark's neck. He died instantly.

Mark would have turned 16 in three months.  He was a 6'4" blond with a flashing smile and musical talent.  He had his whole life to look forward to.  A very drunk driver ended it. His parents and brother were devastated, nearly driven to their knees in pain.

Background checks showed the drunk driver was out on bail and awaiting sentencing for drug trafficking.  The DUII trial was held April 1973. He was found guilty. He was sentenced to three years for killing Mark, and two years for drug trafficking.  He served 18 months.

In 1982, the Lane County Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) was founded in Mark's memory.