Daniel Langlois

September 6, 1982 - June 13, 2002

Crash Date: June 13, 2002

In June of 2001, Daniel announced to me (his mom), that he & his friend, Jordan, we’re going to do a fund-raiser for MADD Canada. This was unusual. I asked him why and he said, “Because MADD doesn’t get a lot of attention and I think they do good work.” And off they went to walk from St. Albert to Leduc, near Edmonton, to raise the money that had been pledged for their walk!

One year later at age nineteen, Daniel was realizing his dream of being a musician by touring with his band, Compromise, through Canada & the US. After finishing their show in Birmingham, Alabama, they headed out after midnight on the I-20 freeway to Savannah, Georgia when they were hit from behind by a speeding, drunk, drugged, previously convicted 28 year old local man. He left the scene and got about a mile before the vehicle stopped on its own. Daniel was thrown through the back door onto the road. The van veered off the highway into the median and smashed into a massive tree. It disintegrated into a million pieces and 3 boys were thrown out into the bush. One was killed instantly inside the van.
Daniel was airlifted to the University of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham where he died of massive head trauma and blood loss.
The driver pled guilty in his local Alabama Court to 2 counts of manslaughter and 2 counts of criminal assault causing bodily injury. He was sentenced to 27 days in prison on weekends of his choosing, yes, DAYS!

There are NO ACCIDENTS when it comes to impaired driving. Stop using the A word! It’s called a crash and someone is fully responsible for it! The charge of manslaughter rings hollow and minimal.

My Dearest Angel, Daniel, for 20 years on each day that passes, I give thanks for all your caregivers in Alabama and mostly, I give thanks for having 19 wondrous, beautiful years with you, my beloved son. Love, Mom