We all make choices in life. Some good, some bad. Often times, those choices have disastrous consequences. Not just for ourselves but others. That's something Chris Sandy learned firsthand.
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| Before Sandy spoke, a video about decisions and their consequences played. Included in the video was Eric Krug, who along with a friend, got into the car of someone driving drunk. Krug suffered traumatic brain injury and can only talk now via an IPad and voice simuatlion. |
Sandy was 22 when he killed an elderly couple while driving drunk on a backroad outside Atlanta in April of 2000. That one action led to a series of events, while some positive in the end, many would be negative as Sandy had to cope with those decisions.
Sandy appeared at the Hangar, the building owned by First Baptist Church of Cochran used for youth activities and fifth Sunday worship. Wednesday's appearance was organized by Family Connection and Communities in Schools of Cochran/Bleckley County.
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| As Sandy speaks, a picture of the cell Sandy spent many of his years, was displayed. |
Sandy shared his story with a gathering of teens and parents, many were members of the FBC youth. He recalled the night of the incident knocking back four consecutive drinks, then being in a hurry to get to another party where friends were. He sped down backroads, driving near 80 miles per hour.
He recalled seeing a bright flash after passing a white minivan then trying to adjust as someone was attempting to make a left turn into a driveway. The force of impact tore the car in half. One victim was killed instantly. The other died after surgery.
He spoke of closing his eyes and hoping it wouldn't be real. Upon waking up in a hospital bed, he realized how real it was. Things got very real on April 9, 2001. That's when Sandy, who pled guilty to vehicular homicide via DUI, was sentenced to 13 years in prison then another 17 on parole.
Sandy spent eight and half years, more specifically, 3,117 days behind bars. Slides during his speech demonstrated just how very real his circumstances were. He recalled the first night in prison, wishing he could die given how things looked so very bleak.
But he said Jesus had other plans for him. Sandy would agree to let his picture be taken for an anti drunk-driving ad and, while still in prison, began making weekly speaking appearances. He said he agreed to do it so that others wouldn't make the same mistakes he made.
His story was also made into a documentary "Enduring Regret." But many other consequences came from Sandy's one poor choice. He said all his grandparents died while in prison, denying him the opportunity to prove he was turning his life around. Sandy, a convicted felon, cannot drive right now.
His mother, whom Sandy pointed out in the audience, has to drive him to places. Another tragic circumstance happened during a Thanksgiving visit with his family and friends while still in prison.
He recalled being taken to the visitation room just hours after a visit with his family in which Sandy's father had purchased items from vending machines so that they could enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner. Sandy learned his dad had died of a massive heart attack while driving away.
Another part of Sandy's sentence is to visit the crash site each year, and place a flower on two crosses that mark the area. He said it was difficult, but knew that he would be returned to prison if he didn't do it. Sandy stressed that even though he was "free" in that he'd been released from prision (for three months) he had to check in with his parole officer, and follow other rules, or face going back to prison.
Sandy is married and has two children. He said that within a year, he may be allowed to drive. But he would have to put an apparatus on the car that required him to blow into it, ensuring he hadn't been drinking. He said he hoped that if that day came, he hoped his children would not be judged by his actions.
Sandy took questions from the audience. One of them was what would he do different if given the opportunity. Sandy said there was "so much" he would do different. Another story Sandy shared would demonstrate his desire to help others learn from his mistake.
Earlier in the day, Sandy had been speaking to third-fifth graders. Sandy said he didn't know how to tell the story at their level. So he began to ask general quetions such as making good choices versus bad ones. He asked if they'd like to win a million dollars, to which all said yes.
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| FBC Youth Pastor Jeff Dykes spoke briefly, thanking everyone for attending. |
Sandy said his million dollars would be if one of those kids could avoid making the poor choice he'd made. After closing remarks by FBC Youth Pastor Jeff Dykes, Sandy took time to speak with individuals.
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| Sandy with members of FBC's youth. In the background is the picture he agreed to take while in prison. |
Many took the opportunity to thank him for sharing his story, and praised him for the power of his message. If you'd like to learn more about Chris Sandy, including plans for an upcoming book, visit www.enduringregret.org
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2009 by BleckleyProgess.com
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