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Dad died saving his little girl

suntimes.com — With an out-of-control car bearing down, Joseph Richardson grabbed his 4-year-old daughter and held her up out of harm's way.

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  • lawngnomes4pres, on 05/08/2008, -1/+359This is the kind of story that gives you chills. Tragic and incredible.
    • aukxsona, on 05/08/2008, -3/+28It's senseless, he shouldn't have had to put his life on the line to save his daughter. It's so sad. I hope and [ray a memorial is set up for him so everyone will remember him for his bravery and selflessness.
      • vmringwala, on 05/08/2008, -16/+0Hey Everyone, check out www.dayperk.com
    • dkruta, on 05/08/2008, -36/+1Thanks for your utterly useless comment.
    • linagee, on 05/08/2008, -30/+1Parents sacrificing themselves for their children. How brave and noble!
      • rplantz, on 05/08/2008, -0/+26It IS brave and noble, you *****.

        This man's instincts displayed his true character. He held his young daughter's life above his own. A truly selfless man...

        ...now mocked on the internet by a self-centered douche-bag.
        • linagee, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1I don't get it..... There was no sarcasm implied. Why did I get dugg down? Does everyone imply sarcasm unless you do a (/nosarcasm) tag or something now?
    • darkcthulhu, on 05/08/2008, -12/+34Kill that ***** drunk driving mother *****.
      • misguidedmonkey, on 05/08/2008, -38/+3Oh come out of your damn closet. We've all driven drunk before. Quit lying to yourselves.
        • black27696, on 05/08/2008, -4/+30 I've never driven drunk. You should be ashamed of yourself for blowing it off as something that "everyone" does.
          • BabyWookie, on 05/09/2008, -4/+1Do you even drive? I know people in large cities who don't drive. It's easy for them, because the public transportation system in those cities are rather good and the parking, as well as traffic are bloody awful. I live in a more rural area and all of my friends drive drunk.
          • DharmaTurtle, on 05/09/2008, -0/+1Rednecks driving drunk... jeez. Can you at least TRY to challenge the stereotype BabyWookie?
        • methos75, on 05/08/2008, -3/+5I have never done it, I am mature and intelligent enough to know better. and damn right, fry this bastard. I am so sick of idiotic Immature drunks getting behind the wheel and killing someone, and getting like five years for it. Its muder plain and simple, so kill them. You start frying drunk driving murderers, and maybe these ***** idiot Alkies will stay out of their cars.
        • buckrogers1965, on 05/08/2008, -1/+9Please kill yourself before you kill a child with your drunk driving, *****.
        • BryanJK, on 05/08/2008, -1/+2most people do not drink and drive, but the people who do are the ones that we see
        • RobotCitizen, on 05/08/2008, -1/+2If I killed a man and left a child fatherless because of my drunkenness, I'd be worthy of death too.
        • BabyWookie, on 05/09/2008, -0/+2Where I live, I don't know a single person who doesn't drive drunk and I mostly hung out with intelligent, educated, compassionate people. Seriously.
    • theoasis, on 05/08/2008, -29/+3Awful tragedy. After I read the story I had a question hit me, How do atheists make sense of the feelings the twin experienced? Just curious.
      • strupatn, on 05/08/2008, -1/+19Blind tests consistently disprove metaphysical connections.

        People make all sorts of claims about false memories. How many times has someone told you they knew something was going to happen before it actually happened? How many times have they told you they know something was going to happen in retrospect?
        • bagelmaster, on 05/08/2008, -1/+3I know what you're trying to say, but it really is weird as ***** when something is happening and it FEELS so familiar. Like you dreamed it the night before.
      • TheFuzzyOne, on 05/08/2008, -0/+13If true, I don't understand it. I just don't automatically assume it's a god.
      • qber, on 05/08/2008, -0/+3If someone had a feeling something bad was going to happen, and nothing happened, you don't hear about it, do you? And even if you do hear about it, you'd give that anecdote less weight than one where someone's intuition correctly predicted a bad event.
      • RobotCitizen, on 05/08/2008, -0/+2The more emotionally intense an event is, the more exaggerated and embellished our recall of the event will be. It's how the human brain works. Our emotions color our memories often to the detriment of accuracy. The twin wants to believe that he felt a psychic connection to his brother because this idea reinforces the loving bond he felt with his brother. It's very common for surviving loved ones to say "I just knew something wasn't right".

        But anyway, it's kind of lame to use this tragedy as fodder for ideological debate. Don't make this about you. Just pay respects.
    • xB4R7x, on 05/08/2008, -6/+7I don't believe that there was any sense of feeling on the part of the twin at all... and if there was, religion had nothing to do with it. His twin did not document the fact that he felt strange while it happened, so there is no proof at all that it actually happened.

      We only use a tiny part of our brain, if this sense of "feeling" actually did happen, it's probably cause there's some part of our brain working that we don't know about.

      In any event, I extend my thoughts and condolences to Mr. Richardson's family, and loved ones. He is a brave man.
      • automidnight, on 05/08/2008, -1/+2I don't believe that you don't believe there was any sense of feeling on the part of the twin. There is no proof that you actually don't believe that.
        • xB4R7x, on 05/09/2008, -0/+1I don't believe that you don't believe that I don't believe there was any sense of feeling on the part of the twin. There's no proof that you actually don't believe that.
    • Kyrceck, on 05/08/2008, -21/+1This guy was obviously inspired by Obama to do the right thing. I'm sure there was an Obama campaign sign outside that McDonalds and he probably saw it which gave him the extra motivation to save his daughter. Wow, that's pretty amazing when you think about it. Obama hasn't even been elected yet and he's already saving little girls. OBAMA 08 WHOOO HOOOO!!!!!!!!!
      • methos75, on 05/08/2008, -0/+2That is the dumbest ***** I have ever read.
      • Frnnkdlxx, on 05/08/2008, -2/+1*Breaking! 5 go blind staring into the sun for Obama!
        Basement dwelling Digger Kyrceck among the quintet!
    • Frnnkdlxx, on 05/08/2008, -0/+2Michelle Malkin is already saying she has bigger balls than this superhero. She needs to go to the concentration camps she supports.
    • MxM111, on 05/09/2008, -1/+1At the same time, it is expected from any good dad. If you will not do it, then do not call yourself a dad
  • JD52, on 05/08/2008, -6/+155This should be one of those cases you read about where the person driving the car who caused this terrible tragedy has to write a check for $2 to the charity founded in the victims name every week for the rest of his life.
    • Jeffler, on 05/08/2008, -2/+88$104/year? Make it $20/week at the least.
      • Chirp08, on 05/08/2008, -0/+6fawk someone posted my comment word for word below, bury me
    • heystoopid, on 05/08/2008, -2/+40way too low , should be 50% of his income for life !
      • DeadlyCouncil, on 05/08/2008, -0/+33judging by that dude's track record (no license/insurance, drunk) something tells me that won't be a whole lot.
        • LonesomeFighter, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1especially when he will be in jail for a long time
    • billbugger, on 05/08/2008, -0/+8And that's all he'll get for punishment.
      • BOFH2, on 05/08/2008, -0/+6Probably
      • Disgod, on 05/08/2008, -3/+8Nah, the guy who killed the dad wasn't a drunk white girl. He'll probably be given the electric chair. Now if he was a white teenage girl, you'd be right.
    • guany, on 05/08/2008, -0/+40Should make him pay child support to the child's family.
      • Pritchard, on 05/08/2008, -5/+2Whoa. Be careful with that suggestion. He might feel like he's the parent in that case.
    • oldhick, on 05/08/2008, -33/+4Yeah, its ALWAYS about money in America.
      • bpoteat, on 05/08/2008, -1/+35Well, the guy's family has to eat and the people that sell the food don't really take anything else. Do they trade hugs or something for food in other countries?
        • oldhick, on 05/08/2008, -24/+2I don't know. Do we know the man didn't have life insurance? Just interesting how people always want money in the face of a tragedy. The story didn't mention a lack of life insurance or that the family would starve. Interesting how people just assume that.
          • bpoteat, on 05/08/2008, -0/+21I'll make it more simple. Traded currency is used all over the world - it's a fact. It is common in many cultures all over the world for criminal offenders to pay monetary compensation of some sort to a person they've victimized. Summary: your comment about America and money was dumb and has nothing to do with whether the person's family is doing ok without him or not.
          • oldhick, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1@bpoteat, in a money obsessed culture, you are correct. Money won't bring back the dead. Money doesn't remove the tragedy. Is money the punishment for the driver or the reward for the victims????
          • BryanJK, on 05/08/2008, -1/+1he should have to, he was the one who chose to drive drunk
            what, are we just going to say it's a tragedy and forget about his family who needs money? it's the least you could do when you make a horrible mistake like this
          • oldhick, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1@BryanJK, how do you know the family NEEDS money? If he has life insurance then they're probably making out financially better than if he was alive. I know when I kick the can my family's going to be a lot richer than they are now.

            Maybe the douche bag driver should be in jail, maybe the douche should be in a mental facility or rehab. I just love to listen to everyone spout off about money and how money is the answer.
          • bpoteat, on 05/09/2008, -0/+1You're changing the subject. Again, what does being in America have anything to do with it? I'm American and as such, I often criticize aspects of my country, it's government, and political leaders, but I take offense to a statement that criticizes America for something that is common in most cultures all over the world. Instead of arguing that money shouldn't be important (regardless of whether anyone agrees with you or not), explain the "in America" part of the post.
          • oldhick, on 05/09/2008, -1/+1How did I change the subject? And as for America, I live here. The story is about here. I personally feel we are a money obsessed culture. We are a litigious society. Most foreign countries don't have things like punitive damages, we do (if you don't believe me, google foreign courts punitive). When the Tech tragedy happened, some of the families refused to take six figure checks and held out so they could sue for more money. Why do you need six figures for the loss of a child? What does money have to do with it?

            Now, I've answered your in America question. Why don't you try explaining to me why this family needs money now. Thanks!
      • DangerMouse9, on 05/08/2008, -14/+3well that and torture
      • yojiffyskippy, on 05/08/2008, -0/+15Should we stone him or cut off some limbs like they do in other countries? What would an Anti-American propose that we do?
        • SuicideMouse, on 05/08/2008, -0/+4Well as a Canadian I say that he has to get the father and daughter hugging tattooed onto his chest and each of their names on both wrists.

          But as I said, he would probably just drink more to avoid the now permanent (No matter how much you drink) memory of them and what he did and he may just take the easy way out with a bullet.

          EDIT: Not Anti-American, somehow I read that as Non-American. Yes, I CAN be incredibly dumb.
          • theaceoffire, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1So we shouldn't blame Canada?
          • SuicideMouse, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1Well you could, but blame Canada for something we actually did like helping burn down your White House, having a massive movie piracy "scene", "Rape in a box" (Rapeseed), the fact that girls can walk around topless in Ontario (Can being key word), IMAX, selling you booze during your prohibition and having better beer, basketball or BC Bud.
      • danlowlite, on 05/08/2008, -0/+7I think it's not about the money there, it's about the constant reminder of what you did. Forever.
        The money is just an easy way to make sure it's done. Of course, with on-line banking, you don't ever have to write a check again...
        Sorry, bad humor in a bad way.
    • Alreadyinuse99, on 05/08/2008, -2/+9How about they tattoo the names of the mans children on his forehead in mirror image. That way every time he looks in the mirror, he is reminded of the children who's father he murdered.
    • danz, on 05/08/2008, -0/+53Its not about the money its the fact he cant forget what he did since he has to sit down ever week and write that check.
      • Synova, on 05/08/2008, -0/+17That went right over everyone else's head.
    • lilSears, on 05/08/2008, -2/+16As far as I'm concerned, I may sound a little harsh and i may get dugg down but anyone who drinks and drives that kills a person is not fit for humanity and should be publicly hung as example. There's no reason for that mess. The sad part is, he's going to go to prison yet he's going to be wasting more of America's and the planet's resources than a whole village in Sudan.
      • black27696, on 05/08/2008, -0/+11Solution: Make him live in a village in Sudan.
    • astrotrain, on 05/08/2008, -0/+2Good point, there was a real life instance (and a movie) about this. Money will not replace the life of a lost one due to a drunk driver. But it was the principle of the situation, and making that drunk driver remeber EACH week with each $1 check how he caused a tragedy in another families life.
    • StevenJV, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1That and he'll never have a job, since he'll be in jail for the remainder of his life
    • RecoDesign, on 05/08/2008, -0/+6You got that idea from a frikkin Lifetime movie.
  • Kerath, on 05/08/2008, -15/+337How the ***** do people allow themselves to drive drunk? Disgusting. You might as well just fire a gun randomly.

    http://digg.com/general_sciences/Roads_Safer_When_ ...
    • Kyrgizion, on 05/08/2008, -3/+53As long as we have "celebrities" driving DUI every weekend and getting off the hook easily because they know the judges personally, people will not be deterred that easily. After all, why would John Doe abide the rules if society's "best and brightest" *cough* don't have to?
      • catfish182, on 05/08/2008, -0/+11I agree with you but also think that it should be added that some people get multi DUI's and nothing is really done to them. There was a ***** posing as a man in my city that recently got his 17th DUI. So now they took his special plates away so he can not drive to work. Not like that stops him i bet. I think we are way to nice to people that get DUI's. We do not punish them to the point where they dont want to do it.
        • jitterbits, on 05/09/2008, -0/+3"There was a ***** posing as a man..."
          Absolutely hysterical imagery. I must remember this.
      • dunk71, on 05/08/2008, -0/+7There's no personal responsibility anymore - everybody blames somebody, or something, else for their faults instead of taking the heat they deserve. If your role models are celebrities that go drunk driving then you need to reevaluate your ambitions in life and realize that those people are assholes and are nothing to aspire to.
        • DangerMouse9, on 05/08/2008, -10/+2And Mother Teresa was a racist, but people aspire to be like her in other aspects of her life.
          • dunk71, on 05/08/2008, -0/+3I don't think Mother Teresa, racist or not, can really be said to be a typical example of celebrity these days. As well as being, like, you know, dead and all.
      • yojiffyskippy, on 05/08/2008, -11/+10I'm pretty sure there were drunk drivers before Paris Hilton was born. Nice liberal attempt at placing the blame on anything but the individual that is really responsible; the drunk driver.
        • spekesel, on 05/08/2008, -2/+5liberal attempt? WTF? Talk about ***** crazy.
        • twiztidsinz, on 05/08/2008, -0/+10Way to be a douche, douche.
          He wasn't saying all the blame should be on the celebs.
          He was pointing out the bad example that they set by first DOING IT, and second getting off without any punishment simply because they are celebs.
          I personally think that even though they are in the limelight, they should be held to the same standards.
          However, we -as in you, me and everyone else in this country- have a duty as well: When a celeb does something bad/wrong or that we disagree with we should stop supporting them. And not just till their next big box office hit or till they're next on E! or in the news crying over their punishment and then forget about what they did and welcome them back.
          • LoopyChew, on 05/09/2008, -0/+1I think we should get all the celebrities who drive drunk cast on LOST. This way they know their job is at stake if they drive drunk.
      • halobender, on 05/08/2008, -1/+1Did you remember to turn your head before *coughing*?
      • phufufoo, on 05/08/2008, -5/+0You are quite delusional. I doubt anyone thinks celebrities are the best and brightest. They are just famous. Celebrities are in a very public position, but not regarded as the epitome of intelligence in our society. Just a pretty face. Only morons let other morons dictate their actions. Not to mention you must be a real retard if you think you can get away with a DUI because someone on TV did. My friend got a DUI and go the full blunt of the punishment. Stop blaming other people for how idiots think. I ***** hate drunk drivers because my older brother was dragged to death by a motorcyclist who hit him and didn't stop for a quarter mile. The real problem here is that ALCOHOL AFFECTS YOUR JUDGEMENT(no *****). Don't even consider having one a drink if you know you have to drive in the next hour. Some people do, then they don't feel like its too much and have another, next thing their buddies are pressuring them to have another one. They feel good then get in the car because ***** it, they feel great and are totally under control!!

        Some people just don't have self control and that is very difficult to teach.
      • astrotrain, on 05/08/2008, -0/+3Celebrities should not be able to get away with it. They need to do the time for the crime. No matter how popular they are.
      • TheSuperunknown, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1Oh yeah, it's definitely celebrities, not our alcohol-centric lifestyles of getting slammed every Friday.
    • REsplin, on 05/08/2008, -0/+17Not to mention not carrying a license or insurance.

      Was anything he doing legal?
      • CiXeL, on 05/08/2008, -1/+7many parts of the country are getting like this. down in south miami-dade off turnpike exit 12 i saw a women buy a 40 of corona, the gas station clerk opened it for her and she put it in the drink holder and sped off. parts of the country are descending into anarchy and people are desperately trying to enclose themselves in gated communities to hide from it.
        • Icyfenix, on 05/08/2008, -0/+9Ah, soon we will live in the world of Snow Crash.
      • Iwantawii, on 05/08/2008, -2/+5Probably a stolen vehicle too.



        Just kidding... but seriously.
      • JargonScott, on 05/08/2008, -3/+1I believe he used his turning signal. o.O
    • heystoopid, on 05/08/2008, -9/+6Forget that motor cars directly kill a million plus annually and that excludes those that are seriously injured and have their life and living standards irrevocably destroyed for the remaining term of their life !
      • Zarokima, on 05/08/2008, -0/+5So how do you suggest we travel?
        • Nupeper, on 05/08/2008, -0/+15sober?
        • Ph34rb0t, on 05/08/2008, -1/+3Public transit?
          walk?

          We would probably all be better off if we still used horses for travel.
        • fmarkos, on 05/09/2008, -0/+1computers should do the driving.
      • laughandsing, on 05/08/2008, -0/+8So are you suggesting that cars kill people and people dont kill people? Are we supposed to ban the use of cars? I dont understand your comment.
      • Alreadyinuse99, on 05/08/2008, -0/+7Family sized zeppelins. How cool would that be?
      • twiztidsinz, on 05/08/2008, -0/+7They had it right in Futurama: TUBES!
        The internet uses them... If it's good enough for the net, its good enough for me!
      • TheSuperunknown, on 05/08/2008, -3/+2Why are we burying him? I think the thing to take away from his comment is cars are dangerous enough when people are not drunk.
    • slimjimworm, on 05/08/2008, -1/+20I don't think taking away a person's license will prevent them from driving (how many illegals drive without one now). I say that if convicted of drunk driving that we spray paint them smurf blue from head to toe with a paint that takes 3 months or more to wear off.
      • yojiffyskippy, on 05/08/2008, -2/+5That might hurt their feelings. Instead we should send them to therapy, help them explore the "real" reason for their problems, and give them a brief time-out.
        • laughandsing, on 05/08/2008, -6/+2Wow sounds like a great idea!
          /sarcasm
      • quioxl, on 05/08/2008, -0/+2I believe that there are some states that either used to or currently make convicted drunk drivers use specially colored license plates. This has the effect of both shaming the driver as well as warning his/her fellow motorists.
    • IglooBurner, on 05/08/2008, -3/+15I used to drive buzzed, or borderline drunk when i was younger. Its stories like this that made me feel like an idiot for the things i did back then.
    • NachoBusiness, on 05/08/2008, -3/+39People drive drunk because they think they can do it safely. Basically, they're self-centered idiots.
      • DangerMouse9, on 05/08/2008, -10/+2"People are self-centered idiots."

        Fixed.
        • Continuum, on 05/08/2008, -0/+4Do you even remember the basis of the article you are posting about?
        • WhatInThe42o, on 05/08/2008, -0/+3Nothing about his comment needed to be fixed, thematically, or grammatically.
    • oldhick, on 05/08/2008, -22/+9Right... You guys realize that only around 12% of fatal car accidents are alcohol related. Just an FYI, most fatal crashes are just caused by bad driving. Plenty of people drive drunk with no problems. The hardest part is not spilling the shine when you hold with your knees while trying to light a joint. If you can keep a car on the rode and not kill someone while doing that, you've mastered the art.
      • uptwolait, on 05/08/2008, -1/+12From the NHTSA website: "In 2006, 13,470 people were killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. These alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities accounted for 32 percent of the total motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the United States." What country are you living in?
      • LogicBomB, on 05/08/2008, -1/+11Driving drunk or high is not an art you ***** idiot...
        • ummagummas08, on 05/08/2008, -0/+4But driving drunk AND high is.

          • dreamstretch, on 05/08/2008, -3/+1It's only sensible - alcohol makes you drive too quickly, getting stoned makes you drive too slowly. It makes sense to do both so things even out.
      • bentlk07, on 05/08/2008, -0/+8Does it matter the percentage?
        If you have EVER had anyone die in your life while it was not expected, then one would be too many.
        But I guess since that obviously has not happened, you're going to be a ***** about it and bring in "numbers" to try to represent the human cost in situations like these
        • oldhick, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1Don't pretend to assume anything about me. I am truly sorry for your loss, but I have my own to deal with. Simply because we think differently doesn't mean I'm a stranger to personal loss.
          I have lost two grandparents, and the love of my life in tragic and avoidable accidents. However, I still choose not to condemn people.
          Don't judge me and I won't judge you. We all have our struggles and we all handle them differently.
        • CZzyzx41, on 05/09/2008, -0/+1Right oldhick, you handle yours by driving drunk and stoned. Hopefully you'll learn how stupid that is before you kill someone or lose your own life.
      • ummagummas08, on 05/08/2008, -1/+7How the hell can you spell everything but road?

        • oldhick, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1Nice catch. Sorry about that, and to answer that, I have no idear!
    • 1gunners4, on 05/08/2008, -0/+2Not to mention that he was driving drunk at 630pm, no less.
    • LogicBomB, on 05/08/2008, -4/+14One of my friends actually told me he trusts a mutual friend of ours to drive while drunk because "he's just a really good, aware driver and I trust him". When I told him trust has nothing to do with reaction time he just shrugged me off. Sad thing is that he's one of the smarter friends I know.

      People are just retarded when it comes to alcohol.
    • shadovvman, on 05/08/2008, -0/+2Easy: they're drunk.
    • Pritchard, on 05/08/2008, -0/+2"He was also cited with driving without a valid license or insurance." - Guess your link wouldn't work in this case.

      Solving people being assholes is a hard thing to do. I think one of the best options would be to move forward with lighter weight, safer cars. Take a look at the transportation system and see how it can be improved. Aptera's a lightweight, personal car. There's a host of other issues, of course...
    • Vejadu, on 05/08/2008, -0/+3Unfortunately, far too many people in this country are too irresponsible to drink. However, it's impossible to keep it out of these people's hands.
    • koft, on 05/08/2008, -8/+3People can drive drunk. It's easy, just put one hand over an eye to stop the spinning. I do it all the time.
    • NinjaBoy, on 05/08/2008, -1/+3Even kevin and alex kinda glorify drunk driving (if you have seen the last 3 eps you know what im talking about)
    • samwisezomg, on 05/08/2008, -3/+3and if he hadn't been drunk, would it be any less tragic? what about people that are just pure and plainly bad drivers? are they not responsible for their decisions when they cause accidents? i never really understood why an accident that happens drunk or not should be worse one way or the other. somebody that kills somebody, drunk or not, should be crucified just the same; its preventable to not be a ***** moron.
      • TheSuperunknown, on 05/08/2008, -1/+1Somebody have a guilty conscience?
      • Metis2be, on 05/09/2008, -0/+1Because driving drunk has a much higher percentage of being in an accident, as well as a physical inability do drive properly. Someone who is a lousy driver has a possibility of having slow reactions, while a person with a high blood alcohol content is guaranteed to have slow reactions.
    • BabyWookie, on 05/09/2008, -0/+2Where I live, I don't know any one who has never driven drunk. Most of them do it on regular basis. I mostly hang out with intelligent, educated, compassionate people too.
  • strikerK, on 05/08/2008, -4/+342died a hero
    • jaquestrap, on 05/08/2008, -45/+5not a hero, I would expect every parent to do that for their kids, and honestly this is what should have been expected, not a moment of wonder. If you asked the guy he wouldn't think that this is so special. So just because this guy actually MANAGED to save his kid, unlike the thousands others who die trying and their kids die as well, this is a miracle?
      • guany, on 05/08/2008, -0/+32semantics.....
        I admire him for what he did, therefore he's a hero (at least to me).
      • nju0843, on 05/08/2008, -0/+18sounds like you got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning...go back to sleep...
      • Iwantawii, on 05/08/2008, -1/+22Every parent is a hero.

        *insert TMYK rainbow*
      • lamiaconfitor, on 05/08/2008, -0/+14Yes, every parent should, but that makes it no less respectable. Hero is appropriate.
        • Pixelante, on 05/08/2008, -1/+1Sam Peckinpah would prefer the term "desperado", but hero is OK. "Cool dude" is also appropriate.
      • yojiffyskippy, on 05/08/2008, -7/+1I agree. What he did was a wonderful thing and certainly demonstrates his love for his daughter but it wasn't really courageous or heroic. If he would have ran in front of the car to pick her up out of the way then THAT would have been heroic. IMO, being "heroic" requires that you intentionally put yourself in harms way to help another.
        • gurudrew, on 05/08/2008, -0/+7He may not have run out in front of the car to save her, but I imagine there is a good chance he could have jumped out of the way had he not thought of her first.
        • CZzyzx41, on 05/09/2008, -0/+1I'm pretty sure putting himself in harms way is exactly what he did.
      • diggerine, on 05/08/2008, -0/+7Who cares if you don't think he's a hero. He died in the act of saving his daughter's life. He's a hero to his daughter, family and friends. And that's what really matters.
      • twiztidsinz, on 05/08/2008, -0/+3Somehow I don't think that the mom who powerwashed her daughter would try saving her kid while waddeling her own fatass out of the way of a car...
      • AsadM, on 05/08/2008, -0/+2Your words eat themselves! It may not be a miracle it is still extraordinary. Which you clearly stated as one out of thousands!
    • TripcodeMel, on 05/08/2008, -29/+1An hero?
      • ligyron, on 05/08/2008, -1/+15The Internet sure has polluted your brain. I think you will die "an" useless human being
      • adamadkins, on 05/08/2008, -5/+2Your "an" ass. If you're going to bash someone on grammar, at least make sure your grammar is correct.
        • LordOfDirt, on 05/08/2008, -3/+4Actually you completely missed his point, which if you understood would make him appear an even bigger ass.
      • bagelmaster, on 05/08/2008, -6/+3Welcome to English, where sometimes h's are pronounced, and sometimes not. Isn't the randomness of it wonderful!?
      • BCRazgriz, on 05/08/2008, -0/+3He got killed, he didn't kill himself.
      • Phipman, on 05/08/2008, -0/+3Calm down; it's a 4chan reference.
    • TheSlinky, on 05/08/2008, -21/+2Died an hero
      • kcdstudios, on 05/08/2008, -0/+14you are doing it wrongly
      • paperclipsNsoup, on 05/08/2008, -0/+5There's too many 'n's in your sentence
      • TheSlinky, on 05/09/2008, -3/+0Why are people voting me down? He became an hero to save his daughter...
    • tiraid, on 05/08/2008, -14/+1We should all get drunk in his honor.
    • svtspeed, on 05/08/2008, -0/+6I think thats one of the best ways to go out. If we are all gonna die - might as well die doing something that matters.
    • GhostyBoy, on 05/08/2008, -1/+13Died a real father. All real fathers are heroes.
    • Hoody28405, on 05/08/2008, -0/+4amen
    • CarStan, on 05/08/2008, -0/+3To everyone who says: This was the least he could do, normal reaction, i'd have done the same. Might i remember you that the majority of the human race is a bunch of self-absorbed hypocrites: http://www.cracked.com/article_16239_5-psychologic ...
      Let's give the man the respect he earns, for doing something everyone SHOULD do, but sadly few won't.
  • firebhaal, on 05/08/2008, -7/+131These stories always move me to tears and at the same time rejuvenate my faith in humanity
    • cygnus2112, on 05/08/2008, -5/+26While it's very moving to me as well, it doesn't rejuvenate my faith. The good guy died, the drunk will likely only get a few years for manslaughter and be out drinking and driving once again.

      If I have faith in anything, it's that good guys usually don't win.
      • Joeyrev, on 05/08/2008, -1/+12I think what firebhaal meant was that it reaffirms the fact that there still are good-guys out there. With all of the ***** news we see on a daily basis, it becomes easy to forget that not all of society is evil.
        • yojiffyskippy, on 05/08/2008, -1/+3You really should stop watching the "*****" news. All the doom and gloom slants your perception of reality.
      • bentlk07, on 05/08/2008, -0/+9Unfortunately, if you read the full article, he doesn't even get manslaughter
        It said he got two counts of aggravated driving while under the influence and driving without insurance
        In other words, he's getting about 1000 in fines and maybe a suspended license
        Manslaughter would be appropriate, but welcome to the justice system of today
        • JBmtk, on 05/08/2008, -0/+9yea, I agree. Why is he not indicted for manslaughter? He killed someone..
        • geogeer, on 05/08/2008, -0/+2It should be 2nd degree murder, anyone who kills someone while DUI should be charged with 2nd degree murder.
    • Fengpost, on 05/08/2008, -0/+7This is the display of the best and the worst in humanity.
    • SuicideMouse, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1It at least shows me there's some good left here. Sometimes all I see is the drunk driver so stories like this help by pointing out the heroes.
    • adamadkins, on 05/08/2008, -3/+1I agree. Nice to see that sort of thing (the acts of humanity, not the fatality) in this world of Bushes, Clintons, and Bin Ladens.
    • pearlygate, on 05/08/2008, -0/+2reading digg normally would suck your humanity out of your soul and bring the cynic inside of you out.
  • Soave, on 05/08/2008, -0/+60Damn, that's incredibly sad. :/ What a great guy, too.
    • MOJIRA, on 05/17/2008, -8/+1How the ***** do you know he was a great guy? He picked his daughter up as a crazy drunk driver was coming at them and that means he's a great guy?
      • Soave, on 05/09/2008, -1/+1Did you rtfa? No, you didn't. Go do it.
  • b3astie, on 05/08/2008, -141/+6Is that a police mug-shot of our hero?
    • mariemoonpie, on 05/08/2008, -1/+31no, if u read the article the other guy depicted was the driver
    • pugetsound98406, on 05/08/2008, -2/+60If you read the caption you wouldn't sound like an ass right now.
    • waynechng, on 05/08/2008, -1/+42I was wondering who'd be the first with negative diggs on this article and you sir are the winner!
    • Claude1971, on 05/08/2008, -3/+12you're an *****. read before you type, *****!
    • IxSamsonxI, on 05/08/2008, -1/+9You sir are a ***** bite. I mean did that even sound funny or whatever you were going for, to you?
    • diggerphelps, on 05/08/2008, -1/+10I wish I could bury your comment twice. At least.
    • Probatus, on 05/08/2008, -3/+5Idiotard. Read the caption before you type.
    • twertyto, on 05/08/2008, -1/+11Everyone hates you.
    • CZzyzx41, on 05/09/2008, -1/+5Wow. That might just be the more ignorant and racist thing I've read today...this week..2008 even?
  • lasertows, on 05/08/2008, -3/+452why do the drunk drivers ALWAYS survive
    • BuryObama, on 05/08/2008, -4/+140Because they never brace them selves.
      When you stiff up expecting the impact, you have a greater chance of dying.
      • Somedude2137, on 05/08/2008, -44/+6O RLY?
        • aladrin, on 05/08/2008, -2/+34YA RLY.

          Seriously. Really. If you stiffen your muscles, you do indeed have a greater chance of broken bones and whiplash, which means greater chance of dying. There are many reports of drunk drivers that survived wrecks that would have seriously maimed or killed them if they had been sober.
          • dunk71, on 05/08/2008, -1/+33Yeah, that's why I always get drunk before I get on a plane or a train - for personal safety. Honest.
          • Navicerts, on 05/08/2008, -0/+6As long as you are not the driver....
          • Bilabrin, on 05/08/2008, -1/+4I can understand the train but in a plane crash it's pretty much black and white.
          • kcdstudios, on 05/08/2008, -5/+1@Bilabrin
            Unless you are the convienient passport of a wanted terrorist. Just sayin'.

            Bury me for being that guy.
          • SuicideMouse, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1@Bilabrin
            True for a full out crash, like sharp angle to ground, but what about just a bit of a nasty landing? Unlikely to happen either way. Train crashes can also be massively fatal, though, also unlikely. Either way you're drunk...

            Honestly since car crashes are the most common then maybe he should just be drunk in the backseat and keep his mouth shut since he's not talking about being the driver and drunks can often be annoying to listen too.
          • Bilabrin, on 05/09/2008, -0/+1 @SuicideMouse

            Well I guess I would cosider the likelyhood of a hard landing such that you could break bones or die from the impact or inertia which is also not severe enough to be an all-out fatal disaster to be about as likeley as a "water landing" which anyone who's seen Fight Club over and over(which should be 90% of all U.S. males udner 40) finds comically amusing when the steardess suggests it.
        • yojiffyskippy, on 05/08/2008, -9/+5Actually the drunk driver in this case lived because he was protected by the car. Statistically, the "drunk driver" doesn't survive at any greater rate than any other driver. However, it does SEEM that way because it is more tragic when the drunk driver lives and someone else dies. If a car load of 4 people crash and one of the occupants dies and the drunk driver lives, the only thing we remember is that damn drunk driver survived while that poor occupant died. We don't even consider that there were two other occupants that survived.
          • SuicideMouse, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1Pretty sure the families of all the survivors would care.
        • antibastard, on 05/08/2008, -4/+9@ yojiffyskippy

          actually that's wrong, what aladrin says is true. my best friend is NYPD and it is very well documented that drunks survive more wrecks simply because their bodies are looser (rag-dollish) upon impact.
        • SuicideMouse, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1Correct, drunk people in a crash "go with the flow" and apparently that's the right thing to do in a collision.
      • cm32438, on 05/08/2008, -1/+18Yep, that's pretty much spot on. I try to explain it to people by saying the auto manufacturers are actually designing their cars to be safe for drunks. If you think about it, a drunk person acts a lot more like a Crash Test Dummy than someone who is sober and freaking out immediately prior to the collision
    • afterthoughtCA, on 05/08/2008, -5/+3weird isn't it.
      • Iwantawii, on 05/08/2008, -0/+7that you're from holland?
        • praisethelard, on 06/06/2008, -0/+7There are only two things I can't stand in this world. People who are intolerant of other people's cultures... and the Dutch.
    • ajmsd3030, on 05/08/2008, -2/+78The drunk son of a ***** that murdered my grandpa sure was totally fine, too. He's out and about living it up right now, as well. It's funny, how the world works.
      • CiXeL, on 05/08/2008, -1/+15its ***** up that we're allowing all the criminals to survive and reproduce. in a generation or so my theory is that the US is going to break up into multiple countries like the USSR did along ethnic and moral lines as the criminal - contributing citizen ratio gets further out of whack.
      • mhuggins, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1I don't know if it's funny so much as it is tragic.
      • kenplaysviola, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1Just curious, but what was his punishment? Did he get any jail time?
    • RubineBoy, on 05/08/2008, -0/+20They are too drunk to die.
      • fribhey, on 05/08/2008, -1/+4that's actually true. they are too drunk to feel the pain and therefor they don't go into shock.
    • azntzouie, on 05/08/2008, -5/+16It's karma. The drunk are kept alive to live down their sentences as well as their consciences.
      • heystoopid, on 05/08/2008, -4/+16They have absolutely none what so ever , they literally blame everything they do on anything but themselves period and refuse to accept any responsibilities for the damage they do whilst under the self administered dependent drug of legal choice !
        • praisethelard, on 06/06/2008, -0/+5I can't say that's true. I remember in highschool some drunk driver talked about how he killed someone and pretty much broke down into tears while explaining his remorse.
        • ummagummas08, on 05/08/2008, -0/+6I think it really depends on the person.
        • geoboy, on 05/08/2008, -0/+2Heystoopid, nice generalization. It looks like 10 other people liked your baseless comment as well. Next let's talk about how gays and illegal immigrants aren't human beings with a conscience.
        • Linzee82, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1I agree with inbred. Had a kid come by my school who almost did the same thing. He even had to keep a picture of the little girl that he killed in his wallet. He used that picture and put it up on the projector for all of us to see. I still remember his words, "Remember this girl when you go drinking. Remember her when you say to yourself, 'I can drive.' I said the same thing just before I killed her." Some people learn their lessons. As ummagummas08 said, it really depends on the person.
        • Metis2be, on 05/09/2008, -0/+2Hey Geoboy, there's a little bit of difference between accepting your natural sexuality, trying to live in safety while supporting a family, and choosing to get drunk and driving while endangering every single other person out in public. Only one of those is a real choice, and it's selfish as hell. What possible reason could you have for defending someone who repeatedly makes that sort of mistake?
      • SuicideMouse, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1It sure seems like they're telling it to themselves just as much as anyone else, the feel it inside, and it ***** hurts.
        Only problem is, they know how to stop that...
    • ryancxx, on 05/08/2008, -2/+25Metal Car > Fleshy People

      It's the sad truth
      • TheMidnight, on 05/08/2008, -1/+27It's why we need metal people.
        • frmatc, on 05/08/2008, -2/+31Or fleshy cars
        • SuicideMouse, on 05/08/2008, -3/+10To many fleshy people would find a way to ***** them.
        • lostivity, on 05/08/2008, -2/+3 I'm thinking about getting metal legs. It's a risky operation, but it'll be worth it.
    • Bilabrin, on 05/08/2008, -3/+4Quick reflexes!
    • glock22ownr, on 05/08/2008, -0/+2because they're not executed on the spot ...
    • OneLess, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1Because a death sentence, even through the accident itself, is too good for them.
    • LogicBomB, on 05/08/2008, -0/+22To add to what "BuryObama" said, the drunk survives because of this scenereo:

      Take an elastic band and poke it with a knife. Not much happens. Stretch the elastic band out and poke it. It flies appart. Same thing with your muscles and organs - if they are tight/tense they will rip and tear and split apart but if you are drunk off your ass and don't even realise you were in an accident you are limber, calm and relaxed.

      The sad thing is even knowing this information doesn't help victims because while sober it's a survival instinct we can't control (ironic isn't it?).
      • tjordan83, on 05/08/2008, -4/+1Just another pleasant gift from god. Am I right?
        • Sneakernets, on 05/09/2008, -0/+2you got a lot of nerve. I knew it woudln't take long for someone to pull this stunt...

          I should make a public blocklist and share it with others.
      • LogicBomB, on 05/08/2008, -1/+7I think it's safe to say that if you entertain the idea of a God, it's very retarded to think our bodies were created with driving at high speeds in mind...
        • darlyn, on 05/09/2008, -3/+2Buried for the use of retarded.
        • LogicBomB, on 05/09/2008, -0/+1Buried for the use of "of". Makes about as much sense...
      • aeoo, on 05/09/2008, -0/+2> it's a survival instinct we can't control (ironic isn't it?).

        No kidding. A more apt name would be death instinct. That's what it is. It sure as hell doesn't promote survival. Panic never aids survival and the so-called "survival instinct" is almost always panic and tension doused with liberal dosages of adrenaline to further numb the body.
        • LogicBomB, on 05/09/2008, -0/+1No, it's a survival instinct from a man-in-nature perspective. Adrenaline is there to get our body into fight-or-flight mode. Try having a footrace or wrestling match against someone hopped up on adrenaline while you are at normal levels.

    • Frnnkdlxx, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1Because somebodies got to give Big Tiny fresh sexy time meat in our wonderful federal prison. More like Federal Amusement Park.
  • EnjoyTheFact, on 05/08/2008, -2/+158To put it lightly, that guy is a ***** hero.
  • doremon313, on 05/08/2008, -5/+169thats what a real father should be doing, not the crap that being going on in the news lately
    • usrlocalbin, on 05/08/2008, -4/+6Well ***** said sir!
      Well said.
    • adamadkins, on 05/08/2008, -0/+2***** the news.
    • intense321, on 05/08/2008, -12/+2What? Taking the child to McDonald's so she can eat unhealthy food? He just delayed the inevitable for that poor child.
      • RoshanK, on 05/08/2008, -1/+5You're a ***** douche.
        • Sneakernets, on 05/09/2008, -0/+2wow, I've never hit the block button so damn hard in my life.
    • Frnnkdlxx, on 05/08/2008, -1/+1*finishes raping son to rebuke you*!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • l0k0, on 05/08/2008, -4/+88I don't think I'll ever be that selfless. This guy didn't even flinch.
    • zadadka, on 05/08/2008, -1/+80Having children changes that perspective.
      • Miff, on 05/08/2008, -47/+5It makes you wanna die?
        • csw1342, on 05/08/2008, -16/+3A+
        • yojiffyskippy, on 05/08/2008, -2/+17No, that's what getting married does to you.
        • rplantz, on 05/08/2008, -2/+9The comment boards on stories like these really do show how many douchebags there are on digg.
      • gamesector, on 05/08/2008, -1/+23I have faith that my parents would have done the same thing in that situation. I think zadadka is indicating that having children makes you realise that you would do anything for them.
      • o0joshua0o, on 05/08/2008, -2/+22For some people (hopefully most people), once you have children the focal point of your life changes from yourself to them. As a result, you would gladly do anything for them, even lay down your own life. I'm in this group. For other people, children are just an annoyance that hinders their self-serving, miserable existence.
        • jkoski, on 05/08/2008, -1/+7*cough*Bill Maher*cough*
        • loobis, on 05/08/2008, -2/+6Some children annoy the hell out of me, but my existence is actually pretty sweet...
          • o0joshua0o, on 05/08/2008, -2/+6Thank you for missing the point entirely.
        • Liability, on 05/08/2008, -2/+2I sure am glad you're not my Dad!
    • Screwy1138, on 05/08/2008, -1/+7If you have children you probably will. I take my daughter for walks all the time. We have a very low traffic street, but still. I've actually mentally prepared myself for this exact scenario so I would know what to do.
    • LogicBomB, on 05/08/2008, -0/+11I'd do it for anyone's child. It's just the right thing to do.
    • username7D8, on 05/08/2008, -0/+5you guys are all dead on, its amazing when you have a child how your life changes. Everything is for them, and you would do anything in the world to keep them safe.
    • koft, on 05/08/2008, -7/+1How the hell would you know if he flinched or not? Were you there?
  • BuryObama, on 05/08/2008, -53/+49God Bless Him.
    • rebotfc, on 05/08/2008, -16/+52Yeah like that worked, however with a name like BuryObama what else can we expect.
    • cmoreland, on 05/08/2008, -4/+7Amen!
    • yojiffyskippy, on 05/08/2008, -12/+30LOL, only on digg would someone get buried for a "God Bless Him" comment. I'm assuming it's because of your Anti-Digg name of BuryObama. So the poor Obama-bots had to chose between God and Obama and they faithfully picked Obama. Nice.
      • BuryObama, on 05/08/2008, -15/+4It just proves they just bury anything against Obama with out reading the topic.

        It's called denial, thats why they think he's so great. they block out the bad, what do you expect from young voters, they read/hear what they want.
        • Trublmakr, on 05/08/2008, -0/+2No,.. some of us think that "God Bless Him" is pretty f'n stupid and meaningless thing to say,.. Clearly God didn't bless him - or if he did, God "blessed" him with a tragic & painful death and left his 4 year old daughter fatherless.
        • HanuMatrix, on 05/09/2008, -2/+1Trubimaker or Trouble Maker... Shooting someone down for saying something positive.... Surely if the poor guy died in a tragic accident it is only right to wish him well... to ask that God Bless his soul. You have issues mate. Take them elsewhere, or give Obama a call, maybe he can help.
          • Trublmakr, on 05/09/2008, -0/+2I'm Canadian and don't really care about the US election. My point is there's a world of difference between feeling sincere sympathy and trying to suggest one's religious views are somehow relevant. Help his 4 year old daughter with financial support if you're sincere - you can even say god made you do it if you wish,.. but wishing wellness for a dead man is a little late and a dollar short.
      • ramiro, on 05/08/2008, -13/+4Please continue burying Obama. These people showed that they don't merit any support whatsoever.
      • danno74, on 05/08/2008, -5/+7No, I think they are insinuating that if there was a god, this wouldn't have happened.
        • CZzyzx41, on 05/09/2008, -1/+3I don't think that at all. I think it's an example of Atheists who digg down anyone who doesn't think exactly like they do.
      • mrASSMAN, on 05/09/2008, -0/+5You don't know digg very well.. the reason is far more likely to be due to the fact that most diggers are atheists.
    • zimmbear, on 05/10/2008, -4/+3Wow, people would bury you on digg for that. Just because you believe in God they bury. People make me sick.
      • cmoreland, on 05/14/2008, -1/+1True, it's the internet, therefore people can be complete asshats without any repercussions.

        /Digg is 2nd to FARK any day
  • inverselogic, on 05/08/2008, -0/+35Terrible story =(, we always lose the good ones
  • Armor1901, on 05/08/2008, -5/+212Some people later on will say that they maybe feel bad for the guy driving drunk because "he's going to have to live with the guilt" for the rest of his life.
    I say ***** him, and ***** his guilt. Nail his ass to the wall. Only two felony charges for aggravated driving under the influence, and a license ticket?
    • theshizzler, on 05/08/2008, -0/+13Wait...no vehicular manslaughter? wtf?
    • CrackyJSquirrel, on 05/08/2008, -0/+3I am sure the aggravated DUI charges will lead to manslaughter or murder because if he was DUI when it happened he was negligent and the cause of the accident. He wont win the civil case that is for sure, and any penny he will make for a good portion if not the rest of his life will be going to this family. And that is after he serves his time for the DUI and hopefully manslaughter.
    • darkcthulhu, on 05/08/2008, -0/+4Run his ass over.
    • follower64, on 05/08/2008, -1/+4In the book Legion of the Damned, criminals are punished by doing to them exactly what was done to their victims.

      We need a system like that.
    • waszanz, on 05/08/2008, -3/+0They will say that because they can only say so much for the victim before it gets repetitive, I say fry him slowly for the little girl who never get to know her daddy.
    • intense321, on 05/08/2008, -5/+1What about the fact that he saved this poor child from McDonald's hamburgers? The silent killer...
    • DCGaymer, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1I'm sure the D.A. is waiting to see how the child does.
  • Cajole55, on 05/08/2008, -3/+25Very tragic story, doing what fathers do for their daughters. Seems like NOTHING is going right in Chicago right now.
    • CiXeL, on 05/08/2008, -8/+4the country is descending into anarchy, what can you expect?
      • AresDiggs, on 05/08/2008, -0/+4WTF does a drunk driver have to do with anarchy ?
      • mrASSMAN, on 05/09/2008, -0/+1Actually I think the current situation in the nation is progressing in the opposite direction of anarchy..
    • Wootstapler, on 05/08/2008, -6/+31st. ***** you.
      2nd. I live in Chicago.
      3rd. Never comment again.
      • edilclyde, on 05/08/2008, -5/+21st. ***** you for living in chicago
        2nd. ***** you for admitting you live in chicago
        3rd. never use the internet again!
  • z3r0c0O1, on 05/08/2008, -12/+67$2/week? ***** that. Make this ***** give his entire life savings and then hang him.
    • pugetsound98406, on 05/08/2008, -3/+28I'll second that. The story would have been better if an angry mob would have pulled him from his car and beat the life out of him.
    • makkaveli19, on 05/08/2008, -3/+18weird how digg is against the death penalty when a murder is involed and when a crime without intent happens you want to form an agry mob to go kill the guy. thank god that emotions don't make the rules.
      • bxblox, on 05/08/2008, -5/+11Digg isnt a person.
        • aladrin, on 05/08/2008, -0/+7No, but you can watch the diggs up and down and get the overall consensus.
        • ryancxx, on 05/08/2008, -0/+2That's what they want you to think.
        • CSharpSauce, on 05/08/2008, -0/+6you're right.. digg is a massive emotional mob
          • CiXeL, on 05/08/2008, -2/+4we've gone too long without angry villagers with torches. its time we kill all the bad people because theyre outnumbering the good people.
          • Continuum, on 05/08/2008, -0/+2If the good people kill the bad people... wouldn't that make them sort of..well bad?
          • RonBurgundy76, on 05/09/2008, -0/+1Quite a conundrum, eh Trebek?
        • Pixelante, on 05/08/2008, -1/+1Diggers aren't persons.
      • RonBurgundy76, on 05/08/2008, -2/+7Crime without intent? Give me a ***** break. This ***** knew he was drunk before he got in his car and started driving it down the road. I doubt that he ever INTENDED to kill anyone... but he sure as ***** didn't care whether he did or not and now an innocent family has been ripped apart because of it. ***** this guy. He should be drawn and quartered.
      • lamiaconfitor, on 05/08/2008, -0/+2on behalf of the angry mob: I would like to say we have elected you its second target.
      • redstorm986, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1Have you ever heard of depraved indifference? He didn't give a ***** what happened when he knowingly got into a car drunk.
    • topgigmedia, on 05/08/2008, -1/+8Sadly, that isn't going to bring that father back. I say make him rot in a cell, having to think about what he did the rest of his miserable days on earth.
      • CiXeL, on 05/08/2008, -0/+5after a short period of time he wont care anymore. people adapt to stimulus.
        • h3lx, on 05/08/2008, -2/+4all the more reason to execute him while it's still fresh in his/ our mind.
    • billbugger, on 05/08/2008, -1/+2what the $5 that he had in his wallet cuz he was too cheap to tip the bar tender?
    • Andrwmorph, on 05/08/2008, -1/+1From the rafters!
  • matt.rubin, on 05/08/2008, -9/+157they just wanted some McDonalds :(
  • BassJunkie, on 05/08/2008, -1/+104This is probably one of the saddest stories I've ever read, but being a father to 5 children all I can say is this guy is a true hero. He made the ultimate sacrifice to protect that which matters most to him. Rest in peace Mr Richardson, you truly are an amazing man.
  • ryanhayn, on 05/08/2008, -47/+5Another reason people should sell their cars and ride bikes. *****, I ride my bike drunk all the time.
    • zadadka, on 05/08/2008, -1/+24In the UK, that too is an offence.
      • MadOtaku, on 05/08/2008, -0/+8It is in Oregon as well and I assume it is in other states too.
      • Pixelante, on 05/08/2008, -3/+4In the UK pretty much everything is an offence.
      • mhuggins, on 05/08/2008, -0/+3I believe it's an offense in all of the US as well.
    • cygnus2112, on 05/08/2008, -2/+14No matter the transportation, you'd still be an idiot on wheels and a danger to society.
      • unorginalityftw, on 05/08/2008, -0/+2Yeah, but you have to admit, a drunk man on a bike running into someone vs in a car is a severe difference in potential damage that could be done.
        • Julik, on 05/08/2008, -0/+0Unless the guy on the bike causes the driver of the car to swerve and he hits another car or something...
    • catfish182, on 05/08/2008, -2/+11I hate to admit it but he does have a point. If he falls on the ground and cracks his skull open then who cares? at least he wouldnt hurt anyone else. maybe he could ride his bike into a river or something.
      • makeitloud, on 05/08/2008, -1/+1It's a bad argument. It is actually possible to kill somebody by crashing into them with your bike. This happened in my town. Two bikes in a head-on collision, and only one cyclist lived through it. It was probably the drunk one who lived.
    • aurispector, on 05/08/2008, -2/+11So when you drunkenly swerve into traffic and cause a fatality, you'll be in the clear because you were on a bike? Try having kids - your attitude changes dramatically. As soon as I saw this story I knew exactly what was going on inside the dad's head.

      Putting your personal freedom first is sophomoric. A mature person thinks about the consequences toward others.
    • takamalak, on 05/08/2008, -1/+6You can kill or do serious damage to a person or child hitting them with a bike (with a grown man riding it).
    • Iwantawii, on 05/08/2008, -0/+5taxi?!?!!?!
    • oldhick, on 05/08/2008, -4/+4Damn people, what the ***** is wrong with a few beers and a bike ride?
      • RonBurgundy76, on 05/08/2008, -1/+13Nothing... as long as you don't leave your own back yard. Go out in public and run over me or my kid with your drunk-ass biking and I won't even bother to call the cops... I'll just kick the ***** out of you until they show up.
        • serif69, on 05/08/2008, -0/+4"He fell off his bike, officer. He's obviously very drunk."
        • oldhick, on 05/08/2008, -0/+2RonBurgundy76, the internet tough guy! I like your enthusiasm. But you caught me on a grumpy day so you can take your tough guy routine and stick it up your ass.
          I've never hurt anyone that didn't deserve it and trust me, you're not so tough.
          • RonBurgundy76, on 05/08/2008, -1/+1Nothing "tough guy" about it. I really would kick your ass. Literally and physically and more than like with whatever large blunt instrument happened to be handy.

            I like how you don't even deny that it would be OK for you to fulfill the requirement for the ass-beating, you ignorant *****.
          • oldhick, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1Deny what? I have nothing to deny. I've lived a life of very few regrets. I have nothing to hide and I'm not ashamed of a damn thing. All of your name calling and bravado are quite entertaining.
            But since this big ole Internet keeps us apart we'll never know what kind of man you are. And I don't doubt that you are a badass at all. The ones that talk the best are usually the ones that follow through the best! I for one dread the ass beating I have coming from you and humbly beg you to spare me from this whupping.
            You certainly wouldn't be the first to beat me in a fight! Enjoy your weekend tough guy and try not to get in too much trouble.
          • WileEPeyote, on 05/08/2008, -0/+2Heh heh Heh, nothing better than two internet tough guys fighting it out over who is tougher.
            I've met REAL tough guys (not claiming to be one myself) and the thing is, they usually talk the least about how tough they are and they rarely start a fight by talking or pushing.
          • oldhick, on 05/09/2008, -0/+1WileEPeyote, yeah, I mentioned that myself if you read my comment.
          • RonBurgundy76, on 05/09/2008, -1/+1Well pardon the hell out of me for thinking that someone causing injuries/death to another person through their own recklessness deserves a beat-down.

            You guys are ***** idiots. I never said I was tough. I just said I would beat his (or anyone's) ass if he ran over me on his drunkcycle. It's not rocket science and it doesn't matter who is tough or not... cause harm to me or my family through your own idiotic negligence and I'll do my level best to make you pay for it with blood. The legal system sure as hell won't give you what you deserve.
          • oldhick, on 05/09/2008, -1/+1Tough guy Ronny strikes again... Here's the thing Lil' Ronnie, NO one ever said they were going to hurt you or your family. The only one talking about hurting someone else is YOU.
            You're the tough guy threatening people in a comment thread about riding bicycles instead of drunk driving. Maybe you've had some really bad biking experiences, I don't know. I'm certainly sorry if you've experienced some intoxicated bike related tragedies and this is something that keeps you up at night.
            I wish you and your family luck sir. Just be careful with the tough guy routine and the threats. Some people might take it the wrong way.
    • BurlyMan, on 05/08/2008, -0/+9Darwins coming for you.
    • Bilabrin, on 05/08/2008, -1/+3Actually I've been in a drunk biking accident. I was very poor at the time and had to ride my bike half way across town to my crappy job as a restaurant host. So one evening I got a little buzzed and a friend invited me over and as I was riding over I hit the edge of a planter box which was just slightly higher than the sidewalk I was riding on and went flying. I F'ed up my knee pretty bad and then had to go to work on it with it sore for like 3 weeks. It sucked because I tried to not put weight on it and doing that F'ed up my back as well. FYI.

      Oh yeah, and the other staff ragged me pretty hard about it too so...
    • Disgod, on 05/08/2008, -0/+2yeah, you can actually still be charged with DUI if you ride a bike. At least I know that's the case where I live people get picked up for DUI on a bicycle fairly regularly.
    • oldhick, on 05/08/2008, -1/+1I'm getting pretty amused by these comments. Apparently when Diggers get drunk they loose all ability to walk, run, ride a bike... I'm impressed.
      Also, from reading these comments it appears there's been a HUGE issue with drunken bikers running over kids and such. While I don't doubt that a few drunken bike accidents have occurred, I was certainly unaware of the size of this epidemic!!!
      • RonBurgundy76, on 05/08/2008, -1/+1What part of the facts of alcohol impairment on the human body do you fail to comprehend? If you drink enough, you can't walk straight, let alone ride a bike or operate a 3000 lb piece of moving automobile. It's pretty damn simple.
        • oldhick, on 05/08/2008, -1/+1I'm not confused by anything that concerns alcohol or getting drunk, believe me. Drunk is a relative term as you so implied in your comment when you said "If you drink enough...". So when someone says they ride their bike drunk, I don't immediately assume that they are a bumbling, dangerous idiot. You can be legally drunk and walk a straight line and pass all of the field sobriety tests.
          It is pretty damn simple. Its all relative and everyone's different.
          • RonBurgundy76, on 05/09/2008, -1/+1People like you keep telling themselves that they are OK and that they can drive... Honest! I only had a few beers, so I can make it home. Sure! I can drive just fine!

            Until you kill someone.

            Your line of reasoning is flawed, sir.
          • oldhick, on 05/09/2008, -1/+1Hey, its Internet tough guy! Whats going on buddy, no more threats of violence this time??? That was so much fun. Get all macho on me and tell me you're going to kick my ass again!!!
            But seriously...
            First, I don't drink and drive. What part of that comment says that I drink and drive. What part of that comment says that I reason I'm ok to drive after a couple?
            WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BICYCLES. OTHER PEOPLE RIDING BICYCLES, NOT ME.
  • ccalabro, on 05/08/2008, -1/+24make the guy contribute to the family for the rest of his life.
    • aladrin, on 05/08/2008, -1/+2Like that would somehow actually help. It would just be a weekly/monthly reminder to the family that he killed the father.
      • supermajic, on 05/08/2008, -0/+8I don't think they'll forget that contributions or not.
    • combatchuck, on 05/08/2008, -0/+4I doubt the family would take his money. Money can't replace a person, and doing something for the family would likely give the guy the false impression that he's made it right.
    • warispeace21, on 05/08/2008, -0/+3If you recklessly kill a parent with young kids, you should have to pay child support. Period.
  • fxu1989, on 05/08/2008, -2/+21Why do things like these keep happening to good people ?

    Life is unfair. Truly a tragic story. My condolences go out to the family.
    • javip, on 05/08/2008, -1/+28expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are a good person, is a little like expecting the bull not to attack you because you are a vegetarian.
    • aladrin, on 05/08/2008, -0/+5They actually happen to bad people, too, but when it does everyone either hails them as a hero or ignores the accident. (It's bad karma to talk bad about the dead, so it only happens when they are really, really bad.)
    • koft, on 05/08/2008, -4/+1For all we know he beat his wife and ***** his kid. I have no idea why every body is making him out to be some kind of insanely great guy. He just did what anybody would have done in that situation.
      • DharmaTurtle, on 05/09/2008, -0/+1Jeez. One man out of 1,000,000,000 is guilty of incest/molestation, and you automatically assume the worst in everyone.
        Lighten up please. Oh, and would you take a bullet for your mother? Your father?
  • t4m5t3r, on 05/08/2008, -0/+9i find storys like this seem alot more saddening because of his actions, with the world being the hell hole it has become, its always amazing to see that we are capable of things like this, its quite beautiful, which makes it sad as it take something like this to happen for us to see this side of us.

    "This is the kind of story that gives you chills. Tragic and incredible."

    this is true, i got the chills to reading this tory, this guy Joseph would have had 1 mabey 2 seconds to react, and he chose to get his little daughter out of the way without even the time for a thought for himself, truely incredible and heroic.
    • draculthemad, on 05/08/2008, -0/+10Its even more than that. He didn't even have the chance to grab her and try to dodge to the side. He might have been able to save himself if *he'd* dodged to the side out of the way.

      If the whole thing had been at all unthinking, he'd probably have just reflexively shielded her with his own body, an entirely useless thing.
      What he did was instead come to the realization that if he grabbed her and lifted her high enough she'd probably live at the cost of his own life.

      Apparently every act along the way was a reasoned, intentional sacrifice of his own life in order to give her the greatest chance to survive.
      That is truly awe-inspiring on his part.


  • enmattp, on 05/08/2008, -7/+43R.I.P Mr. Richardson. We should bring back public execution for this drunk driver.

    • combatchuck, on 05/08/2008, -9/+11No, we shouldn't. I find it repulsive when people think that a law should decide who lives and dies.
      • RonBurgundy76, on 05/08/2008, -4/+2So you think that drunk ***** should be allowed to live?
        • Jennefah, on 05/08/2008, -0/+3Death is the easy way out for him. He should be made to suffer and live with what he's done. Forced to do hard labour and the worst jobs while a sizable portion of his paycheck goes to the family of that little girl.

          That, to me, would be more like justice.
          • RonBurgundy76, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1It would be justice. But if you make him pay money to them, he'll eventually feel like he's made his peace with them and nothing will have really changed.
      • lamiaconfitor, on 05/08/2008, -1/+5more repulsive then the fact that people do it all the time?
      • cybrguy, on 05/09/2008, -0/+1The LAW should, people should not. If you start down that road then in 50 years we will be giving murderers a hug everytime they kill someone because they need more love.
      • Cortney21, on 08/20/2008, -0/+0your a freaking moron.
        go burn a bra hippie.
    • Arcesius, on 05/08/2008, -3/+5I'm generally against the death penalty, but I'm hankering for a good public stoning right about now. Anyone selling rocks? Jagged, sharp ones, preferably.
      • DharmaTurtle, on 05/08/2008, -0/+4Please no, mob mentality is not the way to go.
        • AresDiggs, on 05/08/2008, -4/+1***** you hippie!
        • Arcesius, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1Hehehe, right on. The thought of a public stoning kinda cracks me up, though.
    • kdrake888, on 05/08/2008, -3/+0Right on. We shouldn't have to tolerate this behavior in our society. I'd like to invest in some rocks!!
    • Killah_xxx, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1Guys, honestly... Do you think it's fair to take someone's life because he took someone elses? What puts you in the position of determining the fate of man? If we all went and killed him, would we then feel better about ourselves? Sometimes you need to think for a second before you act in rage.

      Honestly, listen to your own words.

      (prepares for digging down)
      • gmprunner, on 05/09/2008, -0/+1Actually, I do think it's fair to take someone's life because they took someone else's.
      • Cortney21, on 08/20/2008, -0/+0i definitely think if you get in a car knowing you are drunk and can not control your actions and you hurt some one you should be put to death. A car is a responsibility and can be a killing machine. I think we need to get rid of horrible selfish people like him. he should not be able to live his life out, i dont care about the guilt.
  • macmangb, on 05/08/2008, -59/+2Independence for Taiwan and Tibet!
  • phoque, on 05/08/2008, -44/+4Hm... to be honest, this story sounds weird. Okay, this guy saved his daughter.
    But then his twin knew something horrinble was gonna happen? This has nothing to do with the story... But hey, it sounds good!
    As I said, weird.
    • Yodwinder, on 05/08/2008, -2/+2You've never heard of that happening before?
    • DonTazeMeBro, on 05/08/2008, -2/+4My grandpa was killed by a side collision from a transport truck that was supposed to stop at a red light. The wierd thing was, that I had a dream the month previous to him dying, of a person getting into a white pickup truck and me telling them to get out by standing in front of it. The car drove right past me and didn't even realize I was there, and then I woke up. As it turned out a month later, that same white car I saw in my dream was the one my grandpa died in. And I didn't even know what car my grandpa drove because he lived on another continent. I was 11 at the time.
      • yojiffyskippy, on 05/08/2008, -0/+3I wish just one of the millions of dreams that I've had would come true.
    • Claude1971, on 05/08/2008, -6/+4you're a *****
    • yojiffyskippy, on 05/08/2008, -4/+1Emos suck that stuff up.
  • Scatch, on 05/08/2008, -1/+19Digg this one up - nice break from all the politics. What a sad story =(
    • Velvolver, on 05/08/2008, -11/+2It's a sad day when little kids dying becomes more enjoyable than politics. But that's Hillary for you.
      • DonTazeMeBro, on 05/08/2008, -2/+2Way to bring politics into this...
      • yojiffyskippy, on 05/08/2008, -2/+2Way to go Obama-bot. Lovely show of compassion. I'm pretty sure nobody said anything about "enjoyable".
  • schoate09, on 05/08/2008, -0/+22A real man, something not seen often these days...
  • gonzo1773, on 05/08/2008, -2/+31I would like to think I would do the same for my little girld but Im not sure. This guy didnt even flinch when that decision came upon him.
    Sucks too. He wanted to be a minister.
    And Im in agreement with the "hang the drunk driver who kills folks" mentality. It would at least help deter tragedies like this.
    Heart to the family for their loss.
    • oldhick, on 05/08/2008, -1/+6So the death penalty is a deterrent?
      • RonBurgundy76, on 05/08/2008, -2/+4If we started hanging dumbasses that killed people while they were driving around hammered in their car, then yeah... you might notice a sharp decline in DUI's.
        • cybrguy, on 05/09/2008, -0/+1I concur, considering I have a friend who drives drunk on occasion, he almost ignores the current consequences. IMHO deaths due to someone being under the influence of anything should be treated as nothing less than manslaughter.
      • yojiffyskippy, on 05/08/2008, -1/+1It's not a perfect deterrent but it is a perfect solution to recidivism.
        • RonBurgundy76, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1I didn't say it was perfect... but it would work :P
      • oldhick, on 05/08/2008, -1/+1Sweet, lets kill more people then!!!
    • pixeldust, on 05/08/2008, -0/+4You're not sure you would raise your daughter in the air and get smashed instead of both of you getting smashed?
  • NamesTwister, on 05/08/2008, -39/+4Let me just say something about the article: twins DO NOT have telepathic powers, I know, I've tried and it has never worked with my twin.
    • 15thPD, on 05/08/2008, -0/+24Just wait until you escape from witch mountain together.
    • widoka, on 05/08/2008, -1/+27maybe you just suck at being a twin
    • Yodwinder, on 05/08/2008, -0/+10Do you think that, maybe, it's possible that people are different? Maybe?
    • yojiffyskippy, on 05/08/2008, -0/+8Studies have shown that only the smarter and more attractive of the twins has the power while the other twin claims to not have telepathic powers.
      • mhuggins, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1Oh yeah, and the other one smells and is ugly too. And he tends to have few friends, if any. Sorry bro. :(
    • AnotherThought, on 05/08/2008, -0/+3maybe you haven't tried hard enough, try maybe like run into a moving car
  • itsgotyou, on 05/08/2008, -78/+7Hope the little girl don't turn out to be a whore when she grows up.
    • Ometoch, on 05/08/2008, -8/+15well, even if she did she wouldn't come close to the amazing dick sucking rowess that your mom has (of course, you blow her away, from what your dad says) you're prolly a McCain supporter, too
    • ogloom, on 05/08/2008, -2/+16idiot
    • QueensGangsta, on 05/08/2008, -0/+40Why...would you even say something like that?
    • Velvolver, on 05/08/2008, -0/+17Better that than becoming a drunk driver.
      • oldhick, on 05/08/2008, -9/+1Not really.
        • apmtt, on 05/08/2008, -1/+2Whores don't end up killing people by being retarded and selfish.
          • oldhick, on 05/08/2008, -2/+1They certainly can and have.
          • CZzyzx41, on 05/09/2008, -0/+2wait, the love of your life was killed by a whore?
        • CZzyzx41, on 05/09/2008, -0/+2says the site's official Drunk Driver.
    • follower64, on 05/08/2008, -0/+5STFU
    • ICN16x9, on 05/08/2008, -2/+1PAB... oh that's Punk Ass Bitch. stop being part of the problem
    • pchelperonline, on 05/08/2008, -0/+4so uncalled for.
    • borgheses, on 05/08/2008, -0/+3go kill yourself
  • yelnatz, on 05/08/2008, -30/+18McDonalds kills.
  • TheDefiant, on 05/08/2008, -2/+4Thank you Joseph.
    • Velvolver, on 05/08/2008, -4/+1Are you his daughter?
      • Yodwinder, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1No, I assume she would have called him "dad" or "father" and not Joseph.
  • asjk, on