Overserved

There is a sign on Washington Highway 14 just outside of downtown Vancouver reminding drivers to not drink and drive, posted in the memory of Krissy Shaddix and Jessica Blanck. Just beyond that sign there is a solitary cross, leaning slightly to the right as you approach it. The combination of these two objects is, as expected, a very sad story.

Shaddix and Blanck were killed by a drunk driver on Shaddix’s twenty first birthday. They were celebrating Krissy’s birthday in a dance club in Portland, and neither woman had been drinking according to police reports. On their way home they were killed by a driver going the wrong way on Highway 14.

The driver had a BAC over twice the legal limit.

The driver spent four and a half years in prison for her crime, and the families were able to successfully sue the Gresham bar that served her for negligence. Two small victories, I suppose, to offset two devastating losses.

As descansos go the cross isn’t much to look at, I’ll be honest. Granted, it’s nearly twenty years old at this point, and there is the WADOT sign with flowers on it, but I admit I had driven by that sign and cross thousands of times and not noticed it. And I think, again sadly, we all just see the “Please Don’t Drink and Drive” signs and barely register those.

Rest in peace, Krissy and Jessica.