Teen driver leaves party, charged with killing woman in head-on wreck

I feel so sad for everyone involved in this whole situation! Such a sad sad story. I really believe more education (people who have actually been through a situation like this) should be brought into the high schools on the effects and consequences for kids that get into trouble like this.

This is so very sad. Great kids that made a horrible mistake. My heart goes out to the families and they are in my prayers.

Another teen that made a fatal mistake concerning drinking and driving. Something is obviously not working in educating young people about this very subject.
Look at the number of lives that will forever be affected by this teens decision. Very devastating, and let others learn from this.

My thoughts and prayers for everyone involved in this tragedy. I fully believe our teens need to be educated about alcohol. But they also need to step up to the plate and be responsible and make smart decisions. Self accountability has to start somewhere in ones life.

All of the comments here center around those "great kids" who made a horrible mistake. No matter how "great" they were, now they must pay for their stupid actions. My prayers go out to the two victims families. As for the teen's families, I hope this serves as a lesson that the parents should lock up their booze. How else do teens under 21 get access to alcohol anyways? It sure doesn't grow on trees. No sympathy for the teens at all. You kill someone and critically injure another--you deserve the maximum jail time. At least the teens still have their lives and health, unlike their two victims.

Wow. What it must be like for you to be so perfect. These are KIDS you are talking about. They do not think like adults. You have no idea what these families are going through. They are suffering as well. At some point forgiveness needs to happen. Only GOD can determine when that is.

MN Resident wrote:

All of the comments here center around those "great kids" who made a horrible mistake. No matter how "great" they were, now they must pay for their stupid actions. My prayers go out to the two victims families. As for the teen's families, I hope this serves as a lesson that the parents should lock up their booze. How else do teens under 21 get access to alcohol anyways? It sure doesn't grow on trees. No sympathy for the teens at all. You kill someone and critically injure another--you deserve the maximum jail time. At least the teens still have their lives and health, unlike their two victims.

I fully agree with all you've said. these Teens/adults have been charged with some very serious crimes. If they are convicted, do the time if you've done the crime.Speed kills, don't drink and drive.

MN Resident wrote:

All of the comments here center around those "great kids" who made a horrible mistake. No matter how "great" they were, now they must pay for their stupid actions. My prayers go out to the two victims families. As for the teen's families, I hope this serves as a lesson that the parents should lock up their booze. How else do teens under 21 get access to alcohol anyways? It sure doesn't grow on trees. No sympathy for the teens at all. You kill someone and critically injure another--you deserve the maximum jail time. At least the teens still have their lives and health, unlike their two victims.

I never said I nor anyone is perfect. We're all sinners and have made mistakes, especially when we are young and immature. My point is that you do the crime you do the time. Drew Anderson drank alcohol like an adult (his blood alcohol was more than double in someone who would be age 21yrs+) and made the choice to drive a car drunk, now he should be punished like an adult. I have no pity for a drunk driver who kills and seriously injuries another person. Yes, his life is now ruined because he made a terrible decision, however Drew can still wake up the next day and see the sun shine and hear the birds chirping. He and Brent still have their health and do not have to live in any pain or not live at all...unlike their victims.
I know a lot of good teens, however those that I consider "great" do not go out boozing at parties all night long until the wee morning hours.
Teen education on drunk driving is a good idea-however it's already a part of driver's ed. Educating parents in addition would be helpful too. It's hard to raise teens and keep tabs on where they are at all times, however setting a curfew and checking in with them when they don't show up is a responsible thing for all parents to do. Also, if parents choose to drink, lock up your liquor when you're done. Perhaps just setting a good example for your own kids and not drinking in front of them or with them would be the best approach.
My prayers do go out to the victims Shrimatie and Ger. I hope their families get through this traumatic time. The drunken teens will be punished through the American justice system, however their greatest judgement day awaits them outside the gates of heaven.-Peace.

Someone With Compassion wrote:

Wow. What it must be like for you to be so perfect. These are KIDS you are talking about. They do not think like adults. You have no idea what these families are going through. They are suffering as well. At some point forgiveness needs to happen. Only GOD can determine when that is.
<quoted text>

I cant beleive the way some of you talk and act! You cant tell me that whan you were under age you didnt drink most of us did. Was it your parents fault, No it was your own. Did it do you listen to your parents and teachers not to drink, No you thought you could handle it ok, Were you right most of us,yes,some no. you cant teach what you didnt learn yourself until you were a parent. Yes it is tragic but you cant blame the school teachers!

There ain't no fool proof method to avoid drunk driving at any age. Teens will do what teens want to do...all parents can do is try their best and schools can only do so much with education. In the end teens will have to make that choice. I'm sure most of us parents have done some stupid things as teens, but there is a level of responsibility that everyone has, no matter how old you are. Hopefully this case serves as a lesson to all teens out there to not drink and drive.

I fully agree with what your saying. Another thing that becomes an issue is that parents obviously love and support their children-- but they need to stop being their child's/ young adult's "buddy". The key word here is parent. Teens are not always going to agree with decisions you may have to make for them, but wouldn't you want them to thank you 10-15 years later, or do you want to visit their gravesites weekly and think about all the things you should've done.

nomticello parent wrote:

I cant beleive the way some of you talk and act! You cant tell me that whan you were under age you didnt drink most of us did. Was it your parents fault, No it was your own. Did it do you listen to your parents and teachers not to drink, No you thought you could handle it ok, Were you right most of us,yes,some no. you cant teach what you didnt learn yourself until you were a parent. Yes it is tragic but you cant blame the school teachers!

What a great point you make! "Parent" is the key word and is something all parents need to do, no matter how difficult.

STMA MOM wrote:

I fully agree with what your saying. Another thing that becomes an issue is that parents obviously love and support their children-- but they need to stop being their child's/ young adult's "buddy". The key word here is parent. Teens are not always going to agree with decisions you may have to make for them, but wouldn't you want them to thank you 10-15 years later, or do you want to visit their gravesites weekly and think about all the things you should've done.<quoted text>

Would ya really feel "bad" for everyone involved if the driver was a black kid from North Mpls or do you feel bad cause it was a white kid from the suburbs?? Hmmm..hmmm..hmm.

Champlin Mom wrote:

I feel so sad for everyone involved in this whole situation! Such a sad sad story. I really believe more education (people who have actually been through a situation like this) should be brought into the high schools on the effects and consequences for kids that get into trouble like this.

Drew snuck out of his house while his parents were sleeping, so setting a curfew was not the problem. He has top-notch parents. He made a bad choice.

I never said I nor anyone is perfect. We're all sinners and have made mistakes, especially when we are young and immature. My point is that you do the crime you do the time. Drew Anderson drank alcohol like an adult (his blood alcohol was more than double in someone who would be age 21yrs+) and made the choice to drive a car drunk, now he should be punished like an adult. I have no pity for a drunk driver who kills and seriously injuries another person. Yes, his life is now ruined because he made a terrible decision, however Drew can still wake up the next day and see the sun shine and hear the birds chirping. He and Brent still have their health and do not have to live in any pain or not live at all...unlike their victims.
I know a lot of good teens, however those that I consider "great" do not go out boozing at parties all night long until the wee morning hours.
Teen education on drunk driving is a good idea-however it's already a part of driver's ed. Educating parents in addition would be helpful too. It's hard to raise teens and keep tabs on where they are at all times, however setting a curfew and checking in with them when they don't show up is a responsible thing for all parents to do. Also, if parents choose to drink, lock up your liquor when you're done. Perhaps just setting a good example for your own kids and not drinking in front of them or with them would be the best approach.
My prayers do go out to the victims Shrimatie and Ger. I hope their families get through this traumatic time. The drunken teens will be punished through the American justice system, however their greatest judgement day awaits them outside the gates of heaven.-Peace.

Why are people say that the schools need to do more on teaching the schools have better thing to do. and in my opinion that would not change anything what we need to do is change MN DUI laws!!! A person That get stopped by a police officer and PBT Over 0.08 and under 0.20 and is there first DUI is charged with 4th degree which is a misdemeanor, that the same level charge as shoplifting. and it not only a under age problem how many adults have DUI's. just remember every time you see a whiskey plate that they already have 2dui convictions and probably drives drunk a lot

after 10pm 1-5 drivers on the highway are legally intoxicated so school not the problem because adult have them to Bars are the problem

I agree. Laws need to change and schools are not to blame. They have other things to educate kids on. There is no perfect answer on how to resolve this issue.

Justin wrote:

Why are people say that the schools need to do more on teaching the schools have better thing to do. and in my opinion that would not change anything what we need to do is change MN DUI laws!!! A person That get stopped by a police officer and PBT Over 0.08 and under 0.20 and is there first DUI is charged with 4th degree which is a misdemeanor, that the same level charge as shoplifting. and it not only a under age problem how many adults have DUI's. just remember every time you see a whiskey plate that they already have 2dui convictions and probably drives drunk a lot

I can honestly say that any of the parents out there that think that their kids are mr mrs perfect should take a good look in the mirror. Odds are your kids are not out there getting alcohol from their parents liquor cabinets. If they want alcohol they have other ways of getting it. I remember being in the 7th grade and if I wanted it I know I could have come across it somewhere. This is a tragic story but I think it is important to remember that we are not the ones who should be pointing fingers and judging. He has a hard lesson to learn from this for a mistake and I know my parents and grandparents will both agree that they did things like this all the time. I don't think it is a good choice that he made but I think it is funny how when something happens to someone else how quickly everyone can make themselves out to be so perfect. If you honestly have never had a drop of liquor and driven a car and can be sure that your children have never drank a drop of alcohol and will continue to make that choice until they are legal, then you can judge. But you need to remember that kids have access to it just like you did and no matter how ""perfect" of a parent you may think you are your kids may not be quite as innocent as you believe them to be. I had countless occasions that I was able to sneak around my parents and they never had a clue that I had drank. Its not being the strict parent or the buddy that is whats best its teaching your kids that if they need a ride they can call you because if a kid wants to drink, he will find a way and if he knows he has an open relationship and can get help that is what is important. Wouldn't you rather have your kid call you for a ride and pick them up then get the call that they are in the hospital and might not make it? I'm not defending what he did but take a good look in the mirror before you go judging everyone else. I doubt you are as perfect as you make your self out to be. Its no better if you are of age or underage, strict or open with your child. Things happen and it is a horrible situation but my heart goes out to ALL parties, Drew, and the other families.

this is a horrible event and i hope that more will come out of this then just blaming the kids for driving drunk, i hope that this will lead to stricter laws on alcohol not only for teens bout also for adults, lets face it Wright and Sherburne co has drunk driving problems and that why both are on the list for the deadliest co when it comes to alcohol crashes. so next time you get stopped by wright co deputies or the sherburne co cash program doing DUI enforcement instead of complain say thank you and remember that those officers and deputies are giving up their time off to try to change the problem of drunk driving