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Severely
disfigured in a drunken driving crash three 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 and print materials
produced by the Texas Department of Transportation and the
Austin Police Department.
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
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and the others. Two passengers in the car were killed at
the scene and two were rescued.
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 she no longer can use
them. She lost her hair, her ears, her nose, her left eyelid
and much of her vision. She has had more than 40 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.
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 performing a series of skin grafts and working to rebuild
her right hand. Just recently, Jacqui has been able to resume
her studies and is enrolled in intensive English classes.
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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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