FILE PHOTO

Elizabeth and Robert Satiacum (above) spoke to a group of teens at Chief Leschi School last May about the dangers of underaged drinking, and driving while under the influence.

DUI patrols increased

Tribal member Elizabeth Satiacum suffered emotional and physical pain because of a drunk driving accident. Extra patrols in her honor hope to lessen the incidence of harmful collisions.

By Clare Jensen

In 2007, Elizabeth Satiacum gave birth to her youngest son. Four days later she was the victim of a drunk driving accident. After seven months of excruciating pain in a full-body cast, she was able to hold her son for the first time.

Today, Elizabeth Satiacum has recovered tremendously, but still faces major physical challenges through her physical therapy, as well as the emotional scarring that may never heal.

This tribal member is just one of thousands of people each year who are affected by a person making the decision to drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Whether it be a drunk driver going to jail or taking their own life, or harming the lives of others through their actions, the results can range from minor to fatal.

For Elizabeth Satiacum, she is very grateful to be alive, despite her many challenges.

She, along with other victims of drunk driving accidents, say they never want anyone else to experience what she did, and through increased law enforcement patrols this month, hopefully fewer people will.

From Aug. 15 through Sept. 1, national, state and county jurisdictions will be increasing patrols in order to deter those who drink from driving, as well as intercept those who do drink and drive before the unthinkable happens.

In Washington, 24 counties have nominated a local victim to be the face of their annual campaign. For those in Pierce County, Elizabeth Satiacum and her story will put the face to the statistic.

“We talk about the crash data – the number of people who died…and the numbers get us in the way from the personal impact of traffic safety,” said Lowell Porter, director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. “By using victims of DUI crashes, it gets people’s attention – that means more to them. They’re more likely to listen, to remember it and act.”

Elizabeth Satiacum and her husband, Robert, were hit by a young man who was out celebrating his 21st birthday.

“I don’t think he woke up that morning and thought ‘I’m going to go out and ruin someone’s life tonight,’” she said. “It’s a lack of awareness – and they [drunk drivers] don’t think that anything will happen to them…They’re playing Russian roulette every time they get behind the wheel.

“I struggle probably almost every day with the fact that my life has totally changed… [The accident] totally devastated my life and the life of my family.”

Elizabeth Satiacum was 45 years old when the drunk driver hit her. Her son, Robert “Sonny” Jr., was four days old. She said because of the severity of her injuries, he was unable to experience the closeness of a mother to an infant that she shared with her first four children.

Because she was in a cast for more than half a year she also had to re-learn how to walk. Today, 75 percent of her back consists of iron rods. She still goes to intensive physical therapy and is unable to work.

She continues being devoted to providing clean and sober activities to tribal members and community members, and those who are in recovery.

“As long as I can help someone not drink and drive. It made such a huge impact on my life. I wouldn’t want anyone to go through what I went through. I also don’t want someone to have to go to jail for one mistake.”

Lowell Porter said in the Satiacum’s case, much like many others, it was a first-time offender, a “good person” who made a bad judgment.

“It’s a classic example of someone who was out, trying to have a good time, made a bad decision…and it cost someone,” Lowell Porter said.

The heavier patrols this month will hopefully cause those “good people” to think twice before getting behind the wheel.

Lowell Porter said that since 1993 the state has seen a “very steep decline” in the number of drunk driving incidents due to increased patrols and community awareness efforts.

“We still have [hundreds] of people dying at the hands of drunk drivers. Are we making progress? Absolutely. Do we still have a lot of work to do? Absolutely.”

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