Remembering Wendy
Mother describes how death of her daughter changed the lives of her family forever
In September, 2012, Trudy Betts, watched while a Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada white cross was erected at the spot where her daughter, Wendy, lost her life 19 years earlier.
“Even though it is a tragic reminder of a life that was lost, it is also a beautiful reminder of the life that was lived,” said Betts, vice-president of the West Prince Chapter of MADD. She spoke Wednesday during her chapter’s first hosting of MADD’s provincial candlelight service of hope and remembrance for victims of impaired driving.
As the audience sobbed with her, she told how her life and the lives of her family members were forever changed on Sept. 24, 1993. “Little did I know, that when I dropped her off to meet the bus that morning, that Wendy would never be coming home again.”
She recalled her daughter’s plans for attending a friend’s birthday party after school that day. “I will never forget how excited she was,” she told the hushed crowd.
Wendy and four friends were walking along a road between friends’ houses when a car struck four of them from behind. Wendy died instantly. Three of her friends were seriously injured.
Later that night, while being consoled by family members and friends, Betts was informed the driver of the car that struck the girls, had failed two breathalyzer tests.
“And then another shock, when we were told the driver’s name, a man we had known for years. This was devastating.” As the case was set to go to trial nearly two years later, the driver pled guilty to lesser charges of dangerous driving.
A jail sentence of 12 months ended up being four months in custody, Betts said.
“Four months, and our daughter was gone forever.”
The commanding officer for the RCMP in P.E.I., Chief Superintendent Joanne Crampton told the crowd, “Attending the scene of a collision and subsequently delivering news that no one ever wants to hear is heartwrenching.
Our officers are affected as well, becoming frustrated with a situation that seems to repeat itself all too often.”
But she said the calls reporting impaired drivers, reassures officers that the public cares.
During Wednesday’s ceremony, family members and MADD representatives lit candles in memory of loved ones and to convey a message of hope. Scott Wilson from Alberton, a pastor with the Freetown Church of the Nazarene, also lit candles, acknowledging how impaired drivers can rob light from innocent lives yet reminding those present that they can dispel the darkness by being the light that eliminates impaired driving.
“It’s been said tonight, P.E.I. is coming along in dealing with impaired driving. And part of the driving force behind that is meetings like this,” he said.