John Sowers, Jr.'s Victim Impact Statement

In early morning of April 7th, 2002, I was awakened by a phone call that turned my world upside down. My dad's wife had the unfortunate task of telling me my dad had been killed.

I will never forget those words, the feelings, emotions, and thoughts that raced through my mind at that second. As my emotion's waned, I was able to collect myself and ask how. Lillian had to put the Florida Highway Patrol officer on the phone to talk to me because she was emotionally unable to answer my question.

I asked him if it was a drunk driver and he said yes. I asked if they, too, had been killed and he said no.

I began the hope and pray that the person who killed my dad would live to face justice for the crime she committed.

The Friday following the crime, my family and I laid my dad's ashes in a niche. From the second the last screw went in that sealed the final resting place of my dad, it stopped being about my dad and started being all about Kelley Highsmith.

Today needs to be about my dad again. From one delay to another delay, this has been a painful and upsetting experience. Finally the day has come where we hope to get the justice we need and deserve for a senseless crime that could have been stopped by just saying no.

My dad always thought I had a special ability to write a story, put thoughts on paper. Neither he nor I imagined I would have to stand before you today under these circumstances.

I'm sure Kelley Highsmith has suffered pain and depression through all of this. These are due to her own negligence. She made the decision to get behind the wheel of her car drunk and put her fellow man at risk. This is the fourth time we have been in this courtroom for my dad's case. Each time it gets only tougher. Tougher because we hear how Kelley Highsmith's legs are in need of medical attention, how she needs at-home medical care, and how she's depressed.

My response to this is at least she has her legs, can be at home, can feel emotions, and is alive. My dad isn't.

I have heard how she doesn't drink often and drive intoxicated, but it is my opinion if the crime she committed that morning had not killed anyone or injured herself, she would have drove drunk again.

My family and I believe -- realize her intent was not to kill or hurt anyone, but she did, and now she must face the consequences of her actions; a lesson, I'm sure, we all have been taught by our parents and teach our kids today.

I have a new perspective to my dad now, one of the marble square and bronze letters and numbers. I visit him there for a little while and say hello. I hang a card for him and then I leave. His ashes are there, but the memory of my dad is in my heart and no one can ever take that away from me.

My dad never liked us to make a big fuss over him on Father's Day or any other day. That explains why he never liked what we got him. He always thought of himself as unimportant and small in this cruel world. So I ask that today you make my dad important and special like he was to all of us.

In 2002, 17,970 people were killed or injured by drunk drivers. My dad was one of them, the most important one to me. Only was John Sowers, Sr., my dad. He was my best friend and my hero.

It is my wish that Kelley Highsmith be sentenced to prison for taking him from me.

Thank you.

This site is voluntarily setup, maintained and paid for by Kelley D. Highsmith as a small token of her sincere remorse for her decision to drink and drive on April 7th 2002.

Comments or Suggestions Thanks for stopping by and remember Don't Drink and Drive!