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No Excuses, No Mercy

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Ask any police officer, sheriff’s deputy or CHP officer what the number one violation they issue tickets or pull over motorists for and they will reply, “speeding.” What’s the number one reason for auto accidents, speeding. Last week, Melvin Leroy Pearles of Ranchita was ordered to stand trial on the charge of vehicular manslaughter of Alexandra Drake, because he was speeding. When Pearles was asked by a CHP officer if he thought he was speeding in excess of 80 mph, Pearles replied that was possible since he drives a Jaguar and “doesn’t drive 55.” Deputy Public Defender Dawn Beebee stated that although the accident was tragic, Pearles was simply going too fast and that a lot of people speed.

If convicted, Pearles could face up to six years in prison. Seems like a very small price to pay when a son will never have the opportunity to know his mother. There are no excuses for this accident (Pearles said he needed to go the bathroom), and the judge should show no mercy if Pearles is convicted. Every time you get behind the wheel of a vehicle, you have taken possession of a lethal weapon, and you need to take responsibility for your actions when you violate the law. When will speeders learn that in an attempt to save a few minutes or just a few seconds, or just because they like to go fast, the result can be getting a several hundred dollar fine or end up in tragedy?

It was a bit ironic for me Monday morning as I was driving up Highway 67 to Ramona (going about 57 mph) to write my editorial and a black Jaguar convertible passed me as the sign flashed 63 mph, only to turn a short distance ahead on Archie Moore Road, saving maybe a few seconds had they just obeyed the posted speed limit. No excuse.

Jeff Mitchell

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