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Severely
disfigured in a drunken driving crash four years ago,
Jacqui is courageously lending her story and her face to
a statewide anti-DWI
campaign in Texas in hopes that her experience will
deter people from drinking and driving. She is featured
in television public service announcements, an educational
video and print materials produced by the Texas Department
of Transportation and the Austin Police Department.
"Before
and After" campaign materials can ordered from the
Help Jacqui Fund.
THE CRASH
Early on Sunday morning September 19, 1999, Jacqui - then
20 years old - and four friends were on their way home from
a birthday party. Reggie Stephey, an 18-year-old high school
student, was on his way home from drinking beer with some
buddies. On a dark road on the outskirts of Austin, Texas,
Reggie's SUV veered into the Oldsmobile carrying Jacqui
and the others. Two passengers in the car were killed at
the scene and two were rescued.
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Within
minutes, the car caught fire. Jacqui was pinned in the front
seat on the passenger side. She was burned over 60% of her
body; no one thought she could survive. But Jacqui lived.
Her hands were so badly burned that all of her fingers had
to be amputated. She lost her hair, her ears, her nose,
her left eyelid and much of her vision. She has had more
than 50 operations since the crash and has many more to
go.
In
June 2001 Reggie Stephey was convicted of two counts of
intoxication manslaughter for the deaths of Jacqui's two
friends. He was sentenced to seven years in prison and fined
$20,000.
Jacqui's
ordeal and her story in pictures are featured in an extensive
account prepared by the Austin
American Statesman and Jacqui's
Story, a powerful PowerPoint presentation. See and hear
what Jacqui and Reggie have to say about
the incident that changed both of their lives.
JACQUI'S LIFE NOW
Medical treatment for Jacqui's extensive injuries continues.
She and her father, who has been by her side since the crash
occurred, now live in Louisville, Kentucky where specialists
are working with Jacqui to restore all her vision and the
use of her hands. Thanks to surgeons who rebuilt the eyelid
that she lost in the fire and the cornea transplant in 2003,
Jacqui is now able to see out of her left eye.
In
2003 Jacqui completed her studies in intensive English and
she is now able to speak and write in English. When she
can, Jacqui continues to tell her story through news interviews
and speak out against drunk driving.
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RELATED
LINKS
FACT
Safety
experts say three in every ten Americans will be involved
in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives.
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