imfromqueenz
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A Queens mom who lost her 11-year-old son to a drunken driver - and then persuaded state lawmakers to pass a tougher DWI law - drew tears in a crowded courtroom yesterday as she blasted the man who took away her child.
"You have ripped everything that ever meant anything to me," Monique Dixon sobbed as defendant John Wirta stood 5 feet away. "I am broken and I will never be able to be repaired. For that, John Wirta, I hate you with everything that I have loved in my son....I hate that you are allowed to breathe."
Wirta, 56, of Fresh Meadows, was charged with killing Vasean Alleyne and injuring 12-year-old Angel Reyes on Oct. 22. The boiler repairman, who was driving his van on 73rd Ave. in Kew Gardens at the time, had a .13 blood alcohol level, well above the legal limit of .8, police said.
But without factors such as speeding or driving recklessly, prosecutors could only charge him with a misdemeanor - with a maximum sentence of one year in jail.
Dixon's effort to lobby Albany coincided with a Daily News' Save a Life, Change the Law campaign, and in May, lawmakers approved "Vasean's Law."
The law makes it easier for prosecutors to bring serious charges against drunken drivers who kill or injure someone. It also increases penalties in such cases to up to seven years.
Wirta took a plea deal in June and was sentenced yesterday by Queens Criminal Court Judge Steven Paynter to 60 days in prison, three years' probation, a $1,000 fine and 15 days' community service.
But first he heard from Dixon, 35, and Angel's mother, Diana Reyes, 27.
"Why didn't you choose a cab?" Dixon yelled at Wirta and his family. "How come none of them cared enough to pick you up that night so that he wouldn't be driving drunk? You knew his habits. You knew Friday night was his drunk night. Why didn't you save my son? Hell, why didn't you save him?"
Diana Reyes, whose son has had to learn how to walk again, also spoke out. "You are an irresponsible, sorry excuse for a human being," she said. "I only hope what you did that awful day haunts you for the rest of your life."
Wirta, who is likely to serve 38 days with time off for good behavior, made a brief apology. "I am sorry for this terrible accident that occurred and I'm sorry for the suffering Ms. Dixon and Ms. Reyes have experienced and will continue to experience," he said. "I will carry this with me for the rest of my life."
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Its people like this that need to go to jail and never see daylight...1 kid dead, another having to relearn the basic things in life....it boggles my mind how he can get only 60 days, serve probably 40 days....and be homefree when parents lose their children senselessly.....this is why i say, the court works in mysterious ways.....i hope that by the time im done with all of my schooling I will be able to make a difference.....they should take the charge of assault with a deadly weapon from the little girl who threw that rock and give it to him......
"You have ripped everything that ever meant anything to me," Monique Dixon sobbed as defendant John Wirta stood 5 feet away. "I am broken and I will never be able to be repaired. For that, John Wirta, I hate you with everything that I have loved in my son....I hate that you are allowed to breathe."
Wirta, 56, of Fresh Meadows, was charged with killing Vasean Alleyne and injuring 12-year-old Angel Reyes on Oct. 22. The boiler repairman, who was driving his van on 73rd Ave. in Kew Gardens at the time, had a .13 blood alcohol level, well above the legal limit of .8, police said.
But without factors such as speeding or driving recklessly, prosecutors could only charge him with a misdemeanor - with a maximum sentence of one year in jail.
Dixon's effort to lobby Albany coincided with a Daily News' Save a Life, Change the Law campaign, and in May, lawmakers approved "Vasean's Law."
The law makes it easier for prosecutors to bring serious charges against drunken drivers who kill or injure someone. It also increases penalties in such cases to up to seven years.
Wirta took a plea deal in June and was sentenced yesterday by Queens Criminal Court Judge Steven Paynter to 60 days in prison, three years' probation, a $1,000 fine and 15 days' community service.
But first he heard from Dixon, 35, and Angel's mother, Diana Reyes, 27.
"Why didn't you choose a cab?" Dixon yelled at Wirta and his family. "How come none of them cared enough to pick you up that night so that he wouldn't be driving drunk? You knew his habits. You knew Friday night was his drunk night. Why didn't you save my son? Hell, why didn't you save him?"
Diana Reyes, whose son has had to learn how to walk again, also spoke out. "You are an irresponsible, sorry excuse for a human being," she said. "I only hope what you did that awful day haunts you for the rest of your life."
Wirta, who is likely to serve 38 days with time off for good behavior, made a brief apology. "I am sorry for this terrible accident that occurred and I'm sorry for the suffering Ms. Dixon and Ms. Reyes have experienced and will continue to experience," he said. "I will carry this with me for the rest of my life."
_________________________________________________________________
Its people like this that need to go to jail and never see daylight...1 kid dead, another having to relearn the basic things in life....it boggles my mind how he can get only 60 days, serve probably 40 days....and be homefree when parents lose their children senselessly.....this is why i say, the court works in mysterious ways.....i hope that by the time im done with all of my schooling I will be able to make a difference.....they should take the charge of assault with a deadly weapon from the little girl who threw that rock and give it to him......
