FOREVER 16 Published Oct. 1, 2009 By Anonymous senior airman Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas Via e-mail -- Reference the story "It's Not Just About You," March/April 2009 issue, page 4, drunk driving definitely impacts more than just the drunk driver. What did you do on your 16th birthday? My cousin died on hers. I look back on that night, and there are still details I cannot recall. Maybe it's because I want to forget; then again, maybe it was from the amnesia I suffered. On the night of July 24, 2003, we were headed back from my cousin's 16th birthday party. My cousin was driving, I was in the front passenger seat, and two friends were in the back. A red light caused us to stop about two blocks from our friend's house. We were talking and laughing about all that took place at the party. As the light turned green, my cousin started forward. A drunk driver, driving at approximately 70 mph on a 45 mph road, ran the red light and hit the driver's side of my cousin's brand new sport utility vehicle. The impact snapped my cousin's belt and threw her out of the vehicle. As the SUV rolled, it crushed her. My cousin died on-scene. My head smashed against the passenger window, causing the glass to shatter and sending me into a coma. I also sustained bruised and broken ribs. One friend suffered only minor injuries, but the other wasn't as fortunate. She fractured her neck, and her legs were crushed. She is now a quadriplegic. When I awoke from the coma my mom explained to me what happened. My heart broke into a million pieces. The drunk driver was found about six blocks away. He just got out of his truck and left. They charged him with vehicular manslaughter. He now sits in jail, serving life in prison with no chance of parole. My cousin was an outstanding person. She was loving, caring, happy-go-lucky, and had an amazing sense of humor. She was extremely smart. She had jumped ahead a grade and was graduating early. She had a big future ahead of her. Now all that remains is the fond memories and the pictures prior to the accident. Don't be the reason someone else will be forever 16.