Summer 2015
“It’s as bad you think it is,” Carol Levin says, describing the loss of her son to a drunk driver, “but he was an amazing person, and we’ll live his life in the best way we can—we need that.” It’s why Levin got involved with Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD).
Todd Levin was 28 years old and was planning on proposing to his girlfriend Ralynne Healey soon. The couple was returning from a sports activity and dinner out. Todd never drove under the influence, and Healey was training for the Olympics as a figure skater and didn’t drink at all. On September 25, 2006 at 10 p.m., a drunk driver shot through a red light at 85 mph in a 35 mph zone. The impact was severe. Suffering two skull fractures and a crushed chest, Todd was killed instantly. Healey died on the way to Ben Taub Hospital. The driver was nearly twice the legal limit and didn’t stop to render aid.
“It was a horrific accident, and he didn’t even know he’d killed two people,” Levin says, still in disbelief. After five years in prison, the man shows no remorse. Advised by MADD, Levin undertakes a regular letter-writing campaign, asking authorities to deny his parole. She has been successful twice.
Finding Hope and Advocacy
The Levin family has lived in Katy for 25 years. Todd graduated from Katy High School with honors and nearly every teacher attended his funeral almost 10 years ago. Since then, Levin has devoted a major portion of her life to helping others in the same circumstances.
Initially, those who have tragically lost a loved one may be so shocked they don’t remember their own names. “Sometimes, you just hold and love them,” she says. “We’re all in the same family—the worst kind—and it helps to have been there, too.” According to Levin, the pain never goes away. It merely becomes a dull ache. Fortunately, therapy can help those who suffer such loss to cope with their pain. Victims find that through MADD advocates and activities.
The organization was founded by a mother, whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver. This year, the nation’s largest nonprofit is celebrating its 35th anniversary under the banner: No More Victims.
Drunk Driving Fatalities
MADD Southeast Texas Affiliate Executive Director John McNamee says, “MADD supports drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge, serving one person every ten minutes through local MADD victim advocates and at 1-877-MADD-HELP.”
Unfortunately, the state and local community is known by a surprising statistic. “Texas and specifically Harris County leads the nation in drunk driving fatalities,” says McNamee. “In 2014, MADD Southeast Texas, which includes the Katy area, served over 2,800 victims of drunk driving.”
The organization also reaches out to teens to prevent underage drinking. One program advises how to start a conversation with youngsters and continue it through their young adult years. National Teen Influencer allows teens to share their choices not to drink while underage. MADD is involved politically, too. They cite increased law enforcement and bill HB 2246, creating anti-ignition legislation, requiring a convicted drunk driver to blow soberly into a device to start their car.
Sharing Their Stories
Levin works on this bill’s behalf and sits on a monthly Victim Impact Panel, whose venue shifts around the city. The panel consists of victims, who tell their stories, a police officer and those formerly convicted. Drunk drivers run the gamut in ages. Levin brings photographs to make them think seriously about their decisions. To the older drivers, she says, “I impress on them that they’re role models, and if they’re drinking and driving, their kids will be, too.”
Kathy Barzilla, another Fort Bend advocate, sits on the panel and acts as an advisory board member. In 1993, on her way to work, a car traveling 80 mph broadsided her. “If it hadn’t been for Life Flight, I wouldn’t be here to tell my story,” she says, “I’m grateful for each new day.”
With her pelvis fractured in six places, Barzilla had to learn how to walk again. Like Levin, she admits that her life changed on the day of the accident. Barzilla was told she can’t have children as a result of the accident. She never met the woman, who hit her, but Barzilla says she has learned to forgive the driver to let go of the bitterness and anger.
Planning Ahead
“Death and injuries are 100% preventable. Just plan ahead,” Barzilla says. The only night each year people actively plan to avoid drunk driving is New Year’s Eve, but any time any day, it could be a reality. The women advise others to always have a plan and a number they can call for help.
Every year, the group participates in Walk Like MADD, an initiative that gives victims a chance to raise money and awareness, while honoring their loved ones. “It takes years to fight your way back,” says Levin, and MADD helps people do just that. KM
Learn more at madd.org