On
May 15, 2006, Michael Glynn, a Belvidere teenager, crashed his vehicle
while driving home from a high school graduation party where he had been
drinking alcohol. Two days later he died as a result of his injuries.
Michael was 18 years old.
Michael was more than a statistic – just as every one of South Dakota’s
teens that lose their lives in underage drinking crashes. Michael
competed in rodeos; his last contest was just the weekend before his
death.
The following year, to memorialize Michael’s death and remind others not
to drink and drive, the South Dakota Highway Patrol held a sobriety
checkpoint in Michael’s name in Mellette County. His mother, Joyce Glynn,
spoke out in support of the checkpoint, “I appreciate the Department of
Public Safety holding this checkpoint in memory of Michael. I hope
everyone who is stopped will be sober and alcohol free, but if they’re
not, I’m glad they are going to be stopped and not allowed to continue
driving in that condition.” She continued, “I wish Michael would have
been stopped last year when he was driving while intoxicated, even if it
meant a fine and going to court. At least he would be alive.”
After his death, Michael’s family agreed to donate his organs, allowing
eight strangers a chance to continue life in a way the young man
couldn’t. Joyce took up the battle against underage drinking in her
community. She employs her son’s memory to urge teens to never drink and
drive. In Michael’s memory, she promised the next graduating class of
Michael’s high school that she would give every student who went the whole
school year without drinking a $100 reward. 11 of the 22 seniors
abstained from alcohol for the entire year, and Joyce not only gave them
each the promised $100, but also doubled the reward. She plans to
continue the tradition of rewarding White River seniors who don't drink.
Information from
KELO-TV,
information and pictures from the
South Dakota Department of Highway Safety
