Apply drunk driving sentences equally
Drunk drivers are a menace to society. You don't need to be an overtly intelligent

individual to figure that one out.

Imagine, you are driving along the road with a friend, when you notice a vehicle in front of you driving erratically. You immediately call the police, tell them what you saw and follow the vehicle, using caution so as to not cause an accident.

Now, because of your efforts, that man was convicted of DWI and will most likely face jail time.

That is what two Amherst men did in early August, when they saw Kenmore resident David J. Morrison driving in the Town of Lockport.

Erie County Judge Timothy Drury found Morrison guilty, based on the testimony of the two good Samaritans and the statements provided by the three Amherst police officers,

Detective Jeff Goodwin and officers James Pearsons and Andrew Edwards who made the arrests. Morrison had admitted to the officers that he had in fact been driving that night.

At his sentencing, Morrison could face eight years in prison.

Now, imagine another scenario. Imagine that you are sitting at home, reading this newspaper editorial and corresponding article - and it infuriates you. It angers you, not because Morrison drove drunk again, but because your name is David J. Casterline.

On Jan. 17, 2004, David Casterline, an Amherst police officer, was driving on Maple Road responding to a first aid call with the Getzville Fire Department. When Casterline approached the intersection of Maple Road and Old Lyme, he was struck by a drunk driver. His car flipped over and rolled several times, landing on its tires in the parking lot of 7-11.

Officer Thomas Grillo was one of the first to aid his fellow officers but was forced to call the Getzville Fire Department to cut him out of his patrol car.

Brian Mead, the driver, was given a $500 fine. Months later, he was picked up again by Amherst police for the same infraction and was given a harsher sentence. Earlier this year, Mead was picked up again in Cheektowaga. In total, Mead has been arrested five times for DWI and is still a licensed driver.

Perhaps the question we should be asking is - is six the magic number? Is that how many times a person needs to be arrested and charged before justice is served? Morrison hasn't injured anyone - he just made less than intelligent decisions. Mead has damaged property and lives, yet continues to be free. On behalf of taxpayers and the Casterline family - the question is why?