Family hopes tragedy stops drunk drivers

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Corey Cooper's family will never celebrate another holiday with him.

That's because the 18-year-old was hit and killed by a drunk driver, along with 20-year-old Christina Jackson in November 2011.

"We're approaching the holiday. It's always been big for the family and we'll be celebrating the holiday without Corey again," says Corey's father Brian Cooper.

Police say Robert Finkley of Florida was going 80 to 100 miles per hour when he crashed into Corey and Christina's car at the intersection of Wayne and Wilmington Avenues just before Thanksgiving last year.

The 30-year-old was recently sentenced to 8 years in prison for the deadly crash.

"We would have preferred that he'd gotten much, much more time but with the laws the way they are, it was all we could hope for at this point," explains Brian.

Corey's parents have to live with his loss everyday and the pain never goes away.

"There's a lot of counseling, a lot of counseling.  We go to the Homicide Victims' Support Group once a month, couple's counseling, family counseling.  We get together as often as we can with the Jacksons to do things to remember both kids," comments Corey's mother Nancy Cooper.

Corey's mother is trying to start a Mother Against Drunk Driving chapter here in Dayton.

She hopes their tragedy will prevent people from getting behind the wheel while drunk.

"Go out, have a good time but have a designated driver, call a cab, ride a bus, drink at home,walk home, don't drink and drive," says Brian.

"Don't drink and drive at all.  You could be in that situation, you could kill someone's child, someone's husband, someone's wife, be in the same situation we're in," explains Nancy.

Corey Cooper's family has set up a memorial scholarship fund in his name at Wright Patterson Credit Union.

Christina Jackson's family has set up a memorial fund in her name at Fifth Third Bank.

If you need a way home this holiday weekend, you can get a free ride through Montgomery County's Arrive Safe program.
    
Just call 449-9999 for a cab through 6 A.M. Sunday morning.