DPS Releases Preliminary Report on Two-Fatality Crash on U.S. 67 Near Mertzon

 

The Texas Department of Public Safety released the preliminary crash report on the two-fatality crash on U.S. 67, 10.2 miles northeast of Mertzon. The crash occured at 7:48 p.m. Saturday. The DPS investigating officer was Trooper Jessica Springer.

According to DPS, a black 2008 Honda Civic driven by Richard Michael Garcia III, 20, from San Angelo, with passenger Stacci Rai Norton, 21, San Angelo, were traveling northeast-bound with a second 2008 Honda passenger car right behind them. In the second Honda car, Stephen Tyler Wadsworth, 21, San Angelo, was driving. His passenger was Emily McKenna Word, 22, San Angelo. Both Hondas were trailing a tractor-trailer sand truck. Driving that sand truck was Gary Dudley Lewis, 58, of San Angelo.

The black Civic driven by Garcia drove off the right side of the roadway before coming back onto the roadway and striking Lewis' 2009 Peterbilt Truck Tractor pulling a Semi-Trailer in the rear.

The impact caused Garcia’s black Civic to careen out-of-control, crossing over into the oncoming lane of traffic. The second Honda drove into the oncoming lane of traffic also to avoid the crash between the black Civic and the Peterbilt.

Traveling towards Mertzon, and the Hondas, at about that same time was Jeffrey Alan Bell, 60, of Lawrence, Mississippi. He was driving another sand truck, a 2003 Kenworth truck tractor pulling a semi-trailer.

The black Honda Civic missed a collision with Bell’s semi, but the trailing Honda hit the semi practically head-on and was crushed. On the ground, you can see skid marks from Bell’s semi indicating that he attempted to take evasive action. Bell’s Kenworth and trailer ran off the northwest side of the highway, through the barrow ditch, coming to a rest with the second Honda practically underneath the front of the trailer. The DPS reports that the second Honda car struck Bell’s sand truck.

The black Honda Civic driven by Garcia also came to a rest, after traversing the barrow ditch, and ramming through a fence line on the northwest side of U.S. 67. The black Civic did not come in contact with the oncoming sand truck.

Irion County Justice of the Peace Donna Smith pronounced the two occupants of the second Honda dead on the scene. They were, again, Stephen Tyler Wadsworth, 21, the driver and his passenger, Emily McKenna Word, 22. Both were from San Angelo.

Jeffery Bell, the driver of the oncoming semi was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The passenger of the black Civic, Stacci Norton, was also transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

Garcia was charged with two counts of criminal negligent homicide, DWI, Racing on a highway causing serious bodily injury, and accident causing injury.

Witnesses at the scene said that the two Hondas were racing northeast-bound on U.S. 67, passing each other and motorists on the right-hand shoulder. The occupants of the Hondas were at “a party in Sherwood” before the crash took place, said a witness.

Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily

The LIVE! Daily is the "newspaper to your email" for San Angelo. Each content-packed edition has weather, the popular Top of the Email opinion and rumor mill column, news around the state of Texas, news around west Texas, the latest news stories from San Angelo LIVE!, events, and the most recent obituaries. The bottom of the email contains the most recent rants and comments. The LIVE! daily is emailed 5 days per week. On Sundays, subscribers receive the West Texas Real Estate LIVE! email.

Required

Most Recent Videos

Comments

jdgt, Sun, 06/08/2014 - 15:23
Straight from his Facebook page: Michael Garcia March 29 Drink and drive how else do you drink haha
J.D., it's only a matter of time before Richard's friends and relatives log in here and inform us about what a great person this POS is, how we don't know him and how we "have no right to judge" (love that one). The post you cited is very telling. It's indicative of a counterculture which glorifies criminality and overall reckless behavior. Almost every street rat who gets popped for one thing or another is found to have online posts/profiles laden with images of suggestive drug abuse and other illegal activity. Of course this is merely a biproduct of a society which rewards ineptitude and coddles criminals.
jdgt, Sun, 06/08/2014 - 22:05
This entire situation just makes me want to throw up. And certainly not because I "feel sorry" for the dead.
bebop, Sun, 06/08/2014 - 23:45
http://odysseypa.co.tom-green.tx.us/Search.aspx?ID=100&NodeID=1%2c100%2c110%2c200%2c210%2c120%2c130%2c220%2c230%2c240&NodeDesc=All+Courts
bebop, Sun, 06/08/2014 - 23:46
From Tyler Wadsworth's Facebook Page: (guess the police ended his racing on another occasion) https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=654199784636729&set=a.415076988549011.90172.100001401400921&type=1&theater Live by the speed, die by the speed. Rapsheet: http://odysseypa.co.tom-green.tx.us/Search.aspx?ID=100&NodeID=1%2c100%2c110%2c200%2c210%2c120%2c130%2c220%2c230%2c240&NodeDesc=All+Courts Accident victim Stacci Norton made some "hahaha" comments there. Charming people.
jdgt, Mon, 06/09/2014 - 09:50
To all those whining about how they were JUST KIDS... "everyone makes mistakes..." You're only ENABLING this behavior!! What if it was my child? I'd kick her ass through her funeral - and then I'd kick it again. I know that I'm doing EVERYTHING in my power to raise a responsible adult and I'd pray that she wouldn't let me down... but if she did, that choice is on her. You know who I DO feel sorry for? That poor truck driver who didn't ask to kill anyone last weekend. The witnesses to this tragedy. They're the ones who deserve my prayers and sympathy. NOT the drivers who chose to drink and get behind the wheel of a lethal weapon and zoom down a notoriously busy highway. Not the "poor girls" who willingly climbed into the passenger seat and were probably cheering on their NASCAR wannabe male friends to "GO GO GO!"
Many people are quick to blame the parents. But I raised my children teaching them morality and the difference between right and wrong, I also know other parents who raised their children well also but the kids still chose the wrong path. I have found that a parents struggle to keep their children in line is a battle between the parents and a flawed society. I agree that it all begins at home with proper parenting, but that doesn't guarantee our children will not stray and choose evil over good. What good parenting will do is eventually lead that careless youth out of ignorance and back to productive decency later in life. I would have to suspect that in most cases, if a child chooses bad behavior as a teen, it is the teen's fault, not the parents.
teensy, Mon, 06/09/2014 - 12:00
It is very sad. We are living in a world now that is all about ME! Almost every day someone almost hits me because they are in too big a hurry or texting or talking on their cell phone. Pay attention people. I don't blame the oil field either. Yes, we have more traffic but we have always had stupid drivers.
bebop, Tue, 06/10/2014 - 02:05
Purposeful dangerous driving is not a mistake, it is a choice, and they are now paying for that choice and making others pay for it. It's not an accident, when you are pushing the boundaries and breaking the rules on purpose. SOMEone didn't teach these kids anything, whom do you think that might have been? Kids having kids who have kids. No skills, no decent job, nothing to do for "entertainment" but get drunk and drive a car fast -- the cycle continues ad infinitum. There are no excuses here. The dead were not angels themselves, they were complicit.
I agree with you that these kids made a choice and many people may feel they paid the sufficient punishment, ie. jail/death. I feel you are also correct they have no ambition to become productive members of society. But where I don't agree with you is on the implication that if parents teach their children right from wrong, then you are guaranteed to have a fully compliant son or daughter? A parent can't watch a teenager every minute of the day and our public school system is a breeding ground for moral corruptness.
jdgt, Tue, 06/10/2014 - 09:29
Again... these children WERE NOT teenagers. According to the news report, the youngest individual was 20, and the oldest to die was 22. Stop coddling them with excuses! I also do not blame the parents. Perhaps if they were 14 or 15 or 16... but these individuals were beyond help. 2 with "records" already... at least ONE of these had a baby. Why was she not at home caring for her infant? Just... WTF?
when I am talking about someone's son or daughter. It is not meant to imply they are teenagers or younger. When someone asks you "do you have children? do you respond "no, they are all grown" or do you simply say "yes or no". The word 'children' is what is used to let you know one is talking about your son or daughter. And my reason for talking about teenagers is because that is when the bad behavior most likely begins. It would be rare that a 'child' or young person has good values at 18, then becomes the menace to society these idiots became, it started when they were teenagers, thus the reason for mentioning teenagers. And even if they were 16, you would have to know what efforts the parents practiced in trying to mold a responsible teenager before you cast judgement on the parent as being the blame for the child's moral demise. As for the infant, aren't you glad she/he wasn't in the car with them. Unless you know what type of parent the girl is, you are attacking someone without credibility.
@ "it started when they were teenagers" It more than likely started the first time they were arrested and tried for something, paid little to no consequences and set free to reoffend. If you're caught racing you should have your license permanently revoked, the same with DUI's or any other criminal activity you're found to be engaging in while behind the wheel. Did these 20-22 year olds knowingly and willingly break the law? Some reveled in it on social media, as many of this ilk do. They have a blatant disregard for the law and the safety of others, as well as the need to stroke their egos by bragging about it. Considering the state of arrested development that young adults are in these days, it probably wouldn't be far fetched to guess they all still lived with their parents. If you're supporting a drunkard or otherwise useless human being, you're fully aware of it. You feed and house these miscreants, they drink and drug on YOUR dime. After they've had their way with the community, they return to the safety of YOUR home. For all intents and purposes YOU'RE an accomplice, aiding and abetting a criminal who has absolutely no reason to change their ways. A dog owner is responsible for any harm his dog does, so too should the parents of dependent criminals assume full responsibility for the damages their little losers rack up. If myself or any loved ones fall victim to YOUR child's indiscretion, I'd gladly strip you and your entire family of every penny and asset possible to recover any expenses or damages incurred. I'm not interested in hearing about how "young people make mistakes" or doling out second chances to undeserving ingrates. If you maliciously commit crimes, you should pay heavily with life altering consequences. If you lay your head down in mommy's house at night after committing such crimes, she should pay just the same.
jdgt, Wed, 06/11/2014 - 08:03
Lares... you say everything I want to say - but just can't think of it quite the way you do! You should write a book.
I can imagine many would agree with us (on this issue in particular). A common bump in the road to swift justice is the "He/She was too ________ to know any better" excuse. In a culture rife with that mindset, very little of anything has to be accounted for at all. The largest incarceration rate on Earth was certainly not built upon a functioning penal system.
Both of these drivers could have benefitted from one of the defensive driving classes I took that taught if a collision is eminent aim for the softer target. Garcia may not have had that option the way this report is written but Wadsworth and the girl would probably be alive today if he hadn't veered into oncoming traffic. I took driver's ed in San Angelo ISD and this was a lesson that was never taught.
jdgt, Wed, 06/11/2014 - 13:42
RB... that's just it. When a person graduates into adulthood (past the age of 18...) NO LONGER A TEEN... then THAT individual is held responsible. Not the people who threw the party... Garcia knew he was underage for alcohol, but he chose that behavior (more than once, judging by his now blocked Facebook account.) About the ONLY thing I don't agree with regarding this entire situation is how they're trying to hold Garcia responsible for the deaths of the other 2. Tyler was older than Garcia... a whole extra year of experience that should have told him not to drive like that in the first place. Garcia didn't hold Tyler's foot to the pedal... and he damned sure didn't tell him to pass another truck on a busy highway. Tyler acted alone on that. My best guess is that the blame always has to lie somewhere - and you can't blame the dead guy... so pin it on the next closest thing.
I have to agree with you JD, Garcia is undoubtedly an idiot for his choice of racing and he should be punished for putting others in harm's way, but 2 counts of manslaughter? that's a stretch. He needs to get a good lawyer or the good ole boy San Angelo network will put him in jail for life. Wadsworth dug his own grave, Garcia is not responsible for it.
stacci norton should have been home taking care of her own babyor atleast acting like a parent. instead of hanging around trash. now i fully understand why my sister....who is married to staccis father....says his kids are trash.....of course she calls everyone trash except her and kids but maybe she got this one right....jus Sayin....
i know for a fact that atleast 2 of these peipke involved in this wreck were LIVING FREE..except they didnt have to live at home they had their OWN SPACE RENT FREE...
Although it would seem more responsible that Norton be at home taking care of her child, I would think those who do not know her should hold our tongue and not cast judgement on what kind of parent this young lady is. My hope for Norton is that she learns a lesson from this incident, but looking at the social media history of the people she hangs around with, much of the hope is diminished that she can make a clean break from this lower level of society. She most likely could be another victim of her surroundings.
...but these things are unequivocally being paid for by someone, somewhere. It'd be an interesting social experiment to see how many would fare if they were suddenly forced to pull their own weight (pay their own rent, feed/care for their own children). Personal responsibilities have a way of leaving little time for lifelong, habitual substance abuse and street races.
bebop, Sat, 06/14/2014 - 03:47
It's interesting, Lares, those who say they totally agree with you, yet in previous posts, they say you can't blame the parents. The enabling parents or grandparents, or whoever is letting little ex-jailbirds live free and act like jerks ARE reponsible by their enabling. I looked at Tyler's Facebook page after reading his obituary. He "loved the open road and the feel of speed, blah blah blah" And you read his Facebook posts he has made over the last three years and it's all "I'm back outta jail, lets PARTY" and "stupid SAPD" and on and on and on. One picture of his face all cut to shreds. Dove through a window ON PURPOSE, apparently. All laughing, all joking, all just jackassness. Some of the jailing happened years ago, when he had to be still in high school. Parents are either afraid of their kids, or just lack skills to knock some sense into them. He is one of many in this town, repeatedly bailed out by parents or grandparents...until finally, they do something that kills themselves and/or others. It's unbelievable how little regard for the social contract these young people have. This is our future. It's horrifying.
bebop, Sat, 06/14/2014 - 03:49
For someone who loved the open road, he sure picked a congested one for his racing...
bebop, Sat, 06/14/2014 - 03:49
For someone who loved the open road, he sure picked a congested one for his racing...
I don't know the living situation of these people, but after reading a few more posts from Nina and Annette, they bring in another variable - enabling. I don't feel it is the parent's fault these idiots decided to race on a busy and dangerous road, but by parents giving their children free room and board, either at home or in the shed in the back yard, the parents are at least guilty of being bad parents, so I guess parents do share some blame of what their children grow up like. However regardless of where the degenerates lived, it was their idea to race one last time, the parents didn't force them to race! Incidentally, parents are always getting a bad rap. The parents that are unfortunate to have a kid, such as this Wadsworth cat, and finally throw him out at age 16 because he will no longer comply then get blamed when the 'still underage' kid gets himself in trouble. The first thing you hear is "where are the parents"? just how much crap should parents take from a child who will no longer comply with any of the parent's rules? So, is the parent who gets rid of a non-compliant child at 16 just as bad as the parent who enables his kid to live rent free in the basement? If parents do a horrible job of raising a child, how long after should the parent continue to be blamed for the kid's bad behavior? The issue is not black and white. As for blame, there is plenty to go around. One can blame the parent, one can blame the child (which usually is the correct person to blame), one can blame the school system or the legal system. But at the end of the day, values and appropriate behavior begin at home and if a parent doesn't do a good job of instilling proper enough virtues to allow the child to withstand the temptation of a careless society, then we lose them to that society.
We've all heard that expression before, though personally I'd rather go doing something I absolutely loathe. The actor Paul Walker and his buddy turned themselves into well done human briskets after crashing a Carerra GT, doing speeds well over 90 mph in a 45. This particular car has 3 times the horse power of an average car and is nearly impossible to control at the speeds they were doing. You'd assume that Mr. Fast and Furious and his "pro driver" buddy might've known as much. Nonetheless they disregarded the safety of everyone in the immediate area, turned their vehicle into a lethal weapon and died....doing what they loved. The media couldn't kiss Paul's charred rear end fast enough. For weeks he was celebrated as some fallen hero, with hyped up tales of what a great guy he was as well as a fluff piece detailing his purchase of an engagement ring for a financially strapped couple. It seemed as if we were mourning the loss of an esteemed war hero, rather than a 1st class, self centered a-hole with no consideration for the welfare of others. Paul was ceremoniously quoted ..."If one day the speed kills me, do not cry because I was smiling." How profound. Nina pointed out the FB posts of one of these jackasses. The idiot majority celebrates this kind of thing, its blind idol worship at it's finest. I'd reccomend doing a web search for "Paul Walker crash photos". He doesn't look so handsome or heroic in them. The crash scene had no accompanying soundtrack and absolutely no hopes of a sequel -- rather Paul and his buddy looking like a couple of hotdogs that were forgotten on the grill. What's the difference between attempted vehicular homicide and joyriding? A few hit movies and an intellectually bankrupt fanbase.
Everyone that posted negative comments, and pasted judgements have no clue, what really happened. The media and the news mostly assumes and plays things up. Annette your one to talk, but let someone put all your business on here and see how u feel...lay off the pipe and mind your own. These individual were normal young adults, and they loved, and lived, let them rest in peace. Let God be the judge of people, for none of you are him, Right or Wrong? ?
If you didn't know this young man Wadsworth except from seeing his behavior on social media, your opinion would most probably be different.
@ " Let God be the judge of people, for none of you are him, Right or Wrong? ?" Right AND wrong. I'm far from your idea of "God", but as a thinking, discerning human being who resides on this planet, I judge and I am prepared to BE judged. Your "God" can do likewise within the corners of your imagination or wherever else he's thought to dwell. "Normality" is a relative term, however intentionally gravitating towards self destruction is anything BUT natural. The supposition that we've no right to brand idiocy in accordance with it's characteristics is not only delusory but downright offensive.
bebop, Wed, 06/18/2014 - 02:58
I do know what the situation was, each had the other's girlfriend aboard, and there was a fight, a chase, a race, and once more: ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WITHOUT REGARD TO THE LAWS OR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. They were KNOWN for behaving this way. Stop EXCUSING THESE people! They could've killed a LOT MORE PEOPLE THAT NIGHT! Go read Tyler Wadsworth's FB page, if they've left it up...he REVELED in this sort of wild behavior, wrecked vehicles, dove through windows, was in jail over and over. Enough of the excuses. He could have killed you, me, or others, there was a HUGE private (Grownup) party in Mertzon that night, and these little boys who thought they were bulletproof could've killed a highway full of people. I do not care if they loved their mamma. They disobeyed the law and ruined lives. Period. Go look into the face of that smirking punk that survived and try to excuse him again.
Jeannene, maybe you have not realized he nearly killed his girlfriend. If he would have lived and she died, he would be in jail for killing her. What normal adult is so self-centered that he does as he wants regardless of who he may hurt. I just wonder if his girlfriend would've died, you would be supporting him as you currently are?
I'm not excusing any of their behaviors, but I am saying, what's done is done, leave it alone. People make mistakes all the time. Your posts tell me that u have no clue why this took place, or what the intentions of Tyler were! I pity u Judgemental, uneducated people that speak on something that u do not know the facts on!
Please tell us then, his intentions. What good for others was he seeking in nearly killing innocent people by racing down a busy highway. Did he care?
jdgt, Wed, 06/18/2014 - 08:25
Jeannene, the rants on this post died with Lares' on the 15th. You ask us to leave it alone, but it had already been left alone. There are a handful of rants on this story, alone - a very minute percentage of the population of San Angelo... yet we've all drawn the same conclusion of these irresponsible adults. Rest assured that the next people to suffer consequences from actions similar to these, will receive the same "warm reception" that these ignorant ADULTS have. We will check their Facebook pages... we will expose their ignorance. We will shame them for endangering the lives of the innocent. And just in case you haven't noticed... we may live in the bible belt, but the actual presence of true Christians is quite the mystery. Welcome to the land of hypocrites.
ACTUALLY WHAT GOT ME STARTED WAS THE IGNORANCE OF A WELL KNOW DRUG ADDICT HERSELF. THAT HAD NO ROOM TO SPEAK ON SOMETHING THAT CLEARLY KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT, AND ITS A SHAME THAT THIS IS STILL GOING ON! SHOWS SOME PEOPLE HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO, THEN TALK ABOUT OTHERS. THE ONES STILL BASHING AND TALKING ABOUT IT, NEED TO GET A LIFE, A JOB, OR A HOBBY! I WILL NOT EXPOSE THE TRUTH ON HERE, BUT TYLER WAS TRYING TO SAVE SOMEONE HE CARED ABOUT DEARLY, THE ONE IN JAIL, IS WHERE HE IS AT FOR A REASON!
jdgt, Wed, 06/18/2014 - 13:02
Well MY opinion (that I love to give, as you can see) is that if you don't want family drama strewn everywhere... then do NOT make it public. Clearly you and Annette are related in some sort of way - and there's some tension and you know what, that happens... It's in EVERY family! But you guys need to take it off this page because that's a bigger issue than can be solved by everyone else throwing in their opinions, too. This entire situation is an unfortunately, senseless, COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED, tragedy. While I stand by my judgement that these were irresponsible adults - I think that this horse needs to be buried.
jdgt, Wed, 06/18/2014 - 14:54
Perhaps the families of Emily Word or Tyler Wadsworth or Stacci Norton - or even Michael Garcia would like to give back to the community in a MEANINGFUL way? http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/trv/aah/application-guidelines.pdf Adopt a Highway... you can do so in memorial to those deceased...
detect, Sat, 06/21/2014 - 01:57
unfortunately, negligence and irresponsible parenting skills are partly to blame for Garcia killing 2 persons, (glad there were no other deaths) I do personally know Garcia's family. Their lack of the values of caring, accountability, respect and responsibility played a huge part in making him the POS he is. His teen mother was too busy being a teen,so GP and GM took to raising him. Mom now busy looking for a husband and starting another family with her other kids. Garcia not allowed to live there because he's not able to "get along" with SD, so again given to GP and GM, but due to GM illness GP tries to raise him alone.A lot of parties going on at GP;s ,allowing Garcia to drink even when he's underage. Drunk relatives/friends allowed to get in their cars and drive home. Garcia has quite a rap sheet, in fact he had just been out of jail 2wks prior to killing those people. he's had a prior drug charge and PI.and other charges as well. A history of violence towards mom and GP. he is allowed to go live with other family members that also have DWI and drug charges!! As you see he is no angel and does not appear he was making an effort to better is life. He deserves strict punishment . The accident could have been in the SA city limits and the victims could have been our kids/grand kids.This man knew the danger involved with his stupid actions yet chose to totally disregard the value of human life.We must set an example. Our community can not tolerate this kind of behavior and pray those elected to protect us , will do so by putting him away for as long as the law allows so he can think about what he did . And fine him, GP can pay, he had money to support Garcia's habits, pay his car and gas etc..
detect, Sat, 06/21/2014 - 02:15
Now, Garcia mommy sooo involved in church and politics , you think you could have made a little time for your first born somewhere in there.. Parenting is an ongoing job, when you drop the ball or make mistakes, a true person of God never totally gives up on their own children ; they acknowledge their mistakes and at least attempt to correct them
It almost goes without saying that bad parenting or lack of any parenting played a part in Garcia’s actions. But he is ultimately responsible for his behavior, one can throw in the bad parent element, but there are many decent and productive adults who also didn’t get the appropriate parenting but managed to live a purposeful existence. From your description of his childhood, it unfortunately carries a similar tone about what has become a much too frequent state of affairs. But your belief that Garcia killed two other people seems inappropriate because the driver of the other car was as much a menace to society as Garcia, so Garcia did not kill two people; the driver of the other car killed himself by his own thoughtless behavior. Whichever vehicle had the passenger who died in the crash is the driver who killed someone else, and I am not sure who was with each of the drivers. I am sure Garcia will have plenty of time to think about his actions, and he will eventually have a chance to redeem himself, but that will be hard to do because the only compartment of society he knows is ill-fated and morally crumbling. You also mention that Garcia should pay a large fine, but then you write that grandpa has money to pay the fine. Why should grandpa have to continue to pay, paying any fines is the responsibility of the offender, not someone else. From what you write, grandpa would most certainly be guilty of being gutless and being a horrible grandpa, but the rest is up to Garcia himself to man up to. Finally, as for the mother of Garcia, she shouldn't have been having a child when she did, but this behavior of unplanned pregnancies by those who can’t afford a child is just part of the decaying world we have accepted as normal. Your comments about the improvements his mother is now trying to make and what a true person of God does should possibly be kept out of the discussion for it is written that let he who has not ever sinned cast the first stone of judgment.
@as for the mother of Garcia, she shouldn't have been having a child when she did, but this behavior of unplanned pregnancies by those who can’t afford a child is just part of the decaying world we have accepted as normal. ======================================================================================== It defies human logic as to why many young couples who themselves had their mouths latched onto the government's teat since birth, suddenly feel the need to make more of themselves. They were financially strapped when they met, they remained financially strapped when they had child #1 and yet continued to churn out the offspring. Programs like these are a Godsend for these folks. Without the need to prepare or provide food for your kids, imagine all the alcohol and tattoos one could splurge on. http://sanangelolive.com/news/2014-06-12/hunger-initiative-offers-kids-free-summer-meals Who needs to "afford" childcare these days? Once your children begin school, they now have meals covered year-round until they graduate. By that time, they'll be well versed in the art of sponging and be able to apply for entitlement programs themselves.
detect, Sat, 06/21/2014 - 15:47
For Paul and others my comment was not placing blame on poor parenting skills and lack of a sound value system alone. I said Garcia knew the dangers of such stupid and careless behavior as did the other driver. But lets not sugar coat this, if Garcia , according to eyewitnesses had not initiated " the race to no where" the tragedy would not have occurred. No stone throwing here, we all make mistakes, like mommy, but acknowledge,accept and at least attempt to correct. Enablers might take a whole different stance if held accountable to encourage brats to continue to make mistakes w/o learning from them. Perhaps your opinion that Garcia didnt kill them would be different if your child/grandchild were the victim.
detect, Sat, 06/21/2014 - 18:50
Lares and paul the point about unplanned pregnanies and the negative impact they have on our already financially wounded society are very well made. We all know that occasionally these unplanned teen pregnancies occur in the upper class population with a much less negative impact on society, those lucky teens have parents that are in a financial position to afford another baby. But those parents are not likely to be tolerant of this repeated behavior , they will most likely enforce that mommy/ daddy get a job or finish his/her education, (with their financial support of course) and contribute to caring for the infant.Point here is that teaching these young teens to be as responsible as possible under the given circumstances is crucial in their ability to be accountable for their actions, it minimizes enabling them to sponge off mom and dad forever.This is relevant, because we all know that inspite of strong family values and good parenting skills people still make mistakes ((it's called being human.) The degree to which we enable them to continue making mistakes without truly showing remorse is what potentially makes a productive citizen or a criminal. Yes, while you are correct in saying Garcia will have plenty of time to think about what he has done and hopefully redeem. The flip side to that is he has been making numerous bad and illegal choices in the past 2 yrs, he has had time to think about those mistakes and make some positive changes, but he hasnt done that it yet. No steady job, volunteer work, presuing his education and with a criminal record probably not a candidate to serve our country. I know some people are stubborn and ignorant, but really! And some are just not ever gonna get serious and grow up.

Post a comment to this article here:

X Close