Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

I just can't understand the mindset of people - what part of "drinking and driving is dangerous" do some people not understand? You are not invincible - though you may feel as though you are. You are mortal. There are reasons for warnings, rules, and laws. Think you can beat them? You may be proven wrong some day...ask yourself this next time - is today your day to be proven wrong? Or better yet, are your acts of destruction and disregard for others going to take the lives of others? Are you going to be responsible for having a child lose his mother? Or a wife lose her husband? Wake up or soon you may not have that chance.

Look, these are kids. Kids make mistakes and these kids paid with their lives. This is not a time for scolding, this is a time for mourning.

They are not kids. They are adults at 19. So I guess what Kristen is saying is it's okay to kill someone because you're a kid and kids make mistakes. Would she be saying such a comment had it been her family member that was killed? In most drunk driving accidents it's the innocent person who is killed. The driver usually walks away from the accident. Drunk driving laws need to be enforced so much more. They are not strict enough. How about the little brat in West Warwick who killed someone, but got off with home confinement because he had a big shot politician for an attorney. Not fair!!! Let's have some justice for the victims for once.

Kristen, are you serious? A mistake? They were all under age and drunk. The driver, was going too fast. How would you feel if these "kids" crashed into your loved ones and killed them. 19 is not a kid, it is an adult and definately old enough to know right from wrong. They chose to drink, they chose to get in the car, the driver chose to drive drunk and too fast. I am not saying it is good that these kids died, just good that some innocent person driving on 295 wasnt killed. Time for RI lawmakers to wake up and get tough on drunk driving. Close some of the loopholes that these lawmakers put in place (for themselves)and help stop this. The state and local police of RI fight DUI every night, only to have some loophole get the offender off. RI is corrupt.

It's not a time for coddling Kristen, that's for sure. Coddled teenagers is partly what makes us one of the worst drunk-driving states in the country

What an awful thing. So many people here are suffering. I agree with Kristen somewhat, but cook is also right. When do we stop loosing innocent young lives? All of them had a future. No one person is to blame. Just a tragedy.

Kristen:

It is time for scolding. I do not feel bad for these 19 year old kids who were NOT wearing seat belts, speeding, AND drinking. They are lucky they didn't kill any innocent drivers on 295.

Cello.. your the type of person to make someone laugh on a bad day or embarrass yourself just to make someone feel better about themselves. You are the tyoe of person who everyone strives to be. Under that thick tough skin of yours who not everyone sees is the gentle, kind, loving, funny, adventurous Cello. You made your own clothing, wrote your own songs, planned on building your very own castle! and so much more. I dont get why this could happen to someone like you. It doesnt seem to be fair. You were starting to make changes in your life and you were cut short. I love you Cello and forever will remember those crazyyy days we shared. Smile down on us Cello

ok "cook" instead of trying to philosophize this tragedy into some sort of lesson that could be learned how about you think of the people that care about these kids and the way they might feel about this before you go off pointing fingers. i knew these kids personally, and no they didn't think they were invincible no body does, they simply made a bad choice that will leave a few people scared for life... thank you for your help with my grieving

I agree with the previous poster. These young men took a risk they should have known to avoid.

However, in all of the discussions (online and elsewhere) that take place regarding underage drinking and driving, most people seem to forget an important fact:

Research has shown that he part of the brain that controls emotions and impulse does NOT fully develop until sometime around the age of 25, much later than the part of the brain that controls logic and reasoning.

Therefore, teenagers and young adults simply DO NOT have the proper level impulse control. And when you combine that lack of impusle control with peer pressure, it's a guaranteed formula for tragedy.

That is WHY no matter how many times we tell our kids not to drink and drive, or how many gory videos they see or friends they bury, a certain percentage of them are going to do it anyway.

The only way to combat this is with parental control right from the start; but after a certain age, they are on their own.

This was their mistake, and two of these unfortunate young men paid for it with their lives. Unfortunately, this will continue to happen.

To Kristin: I realize that this is a time for mourning and I am very sorry for the families who have lost their loved ones. But this is not a kid making a mistake, like an eight year old breaking a glass. This is someone using extremely poor judgement, behaving recklessly, ignoring laws, and unfortunately inflicting uncomprehensible and irreversible harm to themselves and others. Really, just a mistake??? Tell that to my family who has lost six members due to a "mistake".

Life is really a precious thing and unfortunately, things like these often remind us of that regardless of how old we may be.

It's a real tragedy with what happened here...and I can only hope that the families of all those involved will find strength, peace and love in the coming and difficult times ahead.

My prayers go out to all the victims and I sincerely hope that out of this tragedy, that everyone can learn from this.

i knew both of these kids. not very well, but i went to school with them... and they did make a mistake... but theres no reason for lecture...
this is a time to mourn the death or two very amazing kids who we will never have the pleasure of seeing, talking to, or anything else you can think of... so when this situation happens to you, ill be sure to leave a lecture for you too.

AMEN to Kristen above!! It never ceases to amaze me how some people take a holier-than-thou attitude at a time when parents have just lost a child. OBVIOUSLY drinking and driving is a horrendous act and there are many ways to combat it..however this is not the time. Do not do to these parents what has been done to parents in Barrington who have lost a child...attacking & battering them at the worst time of their lives. Some of these bloggers really need to get a life!

Very very sad and tragic!!! My heart goes out to all of the families!

those are peoples lives

iits real easy to critcize a dead person.

are you trying to say youve never had a few drinks then went home.

you wouldnt be talking like that if it was your family/friends

Aram Pothier and Marcello Ventrella,
You TRULY will be missed by ALL those who you have associated with!! Bellingham isn't a huge town or anything, but we all mostly know each other, and the fact that this is the 4th fatal accident in the past 3 months is really, REALLY heartbreaking.. I know all four of the people involved and have hung out with the driver and Aram quite a few times... Never did I EVER think I would get a phone call like the one I received this morning.... I played hockey with Aram and my parents would always feed him whenever he came to my house with my brother, and i just can not even process the fact that he is no longer breathing on this earth with us.... Neither of these victims deserved this, and i still can't believe i will never see them alive again.. I am truly and DEEPLY saddened by this horrible accident and my heart goes out to all who were blessed enough to know these two men..... Rest in Peace, You are Loved.

I agree it is a tragedy but when are kids going to learn. When are the bars and liquor stores going to actually LOOK at the fake ID's? If there is a doubt, Don't serve or sell. Its your perogative and duty no to. Personally I feel that all the bars and liquor stores care about is their income. Underage drinking is a HUGE problem all over. Look at the Barrington teens who's friends where killed and they gathered at the site and drank! What the heck are they thinking. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!! Something needs to be done. What I don't know, but something.

Personaly i think that none of you deserve to have opinions on this. All of you that are scolding didnt know these people. All of us who did are suffering, and YES IT WAS A MISTAKE. Noone means to kill their close friends in an accident. All were responsible. So please do us all a favor and mind your own business. Thanks

Kritin: Do not propose to tell me how I would or would not be talking. I have lived this in my own life!!! I know what it is like to lose family members because of a drunk driver. I know what it is like to be seiously injured in a car accident because of a drunk driver. And no, I have NEVER had a few drinks and gotten behind the wheel. Choose to belive that or not, it does not matter.
To Tom: I am very sorry for your loss. My intent was not to "philosophize" and add to the families' grief. I know that this is a very difficult situation. No one should have to bury their child - it is beyond tragic. I am speaking from the heart and trying to reach out to others to think about their actions and what the consequences might be -unfortunately this is not the best venue for that. I honestly was not trying to offend or ridicule. I apologize for sounding that way. I know what a horrible situation this is and I am thinking of you and the families at this time.

Oh Speaker Murphy ...we have a few more clients for you.....

Home confinement 6 months...court adjourned....
Mr Murphy please present your next case of under age teens driving drunk death
resulting...hurry....My Tee time is nearing....

This is indeed a tragedy. I'm just thankful that my nephew who was in this accident wasn't harmed. My heart goes out to the families of the others. This is an awful thing for all of them to have to go thru.

3 lives gone and a 4th scarred for the rest of his now young life...how about the bar Mug Shots?
What responsibility should they hold for serving underage drinkers. I am sorry to all the moms that have lost a child. My thoughts and prayers are with you. The rest of you moms hold on tight and don't let go....

Everyone's attitude would be much different if they killed a young mother on the way home. Yeah maybe they made a mistake, but they committed a serious crime. We are lucky they didn't take any innocents with them.

If its true they were drinking at a bar, that establishment should loose its liquor license for a month. If another incident happens, they should loose it for 6 months. These bars make a fortune taking advantage of minors.

All you people who are criticizing need to shut up. None of you are perfect and if any of you say you haven't drivin after drinking that would be a lie for 95% of you, so stop judging.

R.I.P. guys...Cello you will be missed and we all love you.

This is a very sad day and a horrible tragedy
if you have a child, please give them a huge
and kiss today.

From YELP: .50 cent beers on tuesday is the only reason this place is getting any stars. I will admit i have not been to many bars but this one is tiny and not really my scene. Get there early and get at-least two beers at a time because getting to the bar for another is a killer.

Kids will never understand about drinking and driving unless they see an accident first hand or lose a friend or family member they are close to. That's how kids think and learn. Unfortunately. And I agree, yes, the establishment should lose its license.

despite what anyone has to say, three lives were lost. there is plenty of blame to go around. but the fact of the matter is that right now is not the time. its time to come together and help each other through this tragedy. i love you boys, and i know ill see you all again. i send out my love & support to your families. rip; aram cello & rob you are forever in our hearts

Hey Cooks, I didn't say anything about how you would be talking. You're confusing me with another poster.

Just Call On Me

I can’t comprehend just how sad you must feel
For the loss of someone you love.
This sorrowful time must still feel unreal
And you’re looking for strength from above.

I hope, from my heart, that your pain will decrease,
That your spirit will gain strength again,
And I pray that your faith will create inner peace
And that God will send blessings--Amen.

Till then, if you need me to lighten your load,
I’m waiting to come to your aid.
Just call on me, and I’ll walk down that road,
Until the dark times start to fade.

Deep condolences,

My prayers go out to all of the victims involved here.

However,

Drinking and driving is a crime. We read about this every week. As a community, we all need to do a better job to prevent this CRIMINAL act. We need to advocate for tougher penalties. We need to educate our youth better about the consequences. We need to set a better example. We need to tell our friends and our family members NOT to drink and drive.

This tragedy is PREVENTABLE, but we all need to take a stand and Learn ways to stop this.

When someone is impaired, they make further bad choices - like not wearing a seatbelt or speeding.

Servers in establishments need to be more vigilant.

We all have a role to play. We could be the next victim if we don't get serious about drinking and driving. It is NOT a mistake, it is a crime.

Okay people are you serious? Right now is not the time to lecture what mistakes they made, yes obviously if they hadn't driven drunk this would not have happened. Right now you need to think about what happened here today, take something from it, and give your wishes to all of the friends and family affected by this. Its hard enough on the people they left behind, do you honestly think they want to be lectured? No,right now is a time of remembrance and mourning, do not try and be self righteous the same day as the accident, if you have a heart you will stop and just post comments remembering the days when the victims were still alive who have no passed, and things were not so sad. Remember them for all the good things they have done, honor their memory, do not bring them down for a mistake, no matter how big. Those who have passed should be remembered for the good people they are and not a mistake they made that will tarnish the way most people will view them now because of this tragedy.

thank you, and i send my sympathy out to all of the families and friends.

RIP guys you will be missed!

Anonymous....This has happened to me, like many others. I was the unfortunate victim of a drunk driver, who smashed into my stopped car at 60mph. I watched a close friend nearly lose his life and suffered injuries of my own. I watched as my friend went through a number of surgeries, in pain every day. I watched as my life was torn apart. I live with it every day. So, no this was not just a mistake. These young adults made the choice to go out and drink under age. Do I feel that the bars and liquor stores are partly responsible, yes and they should be held responsible for their part. But let us not forget that these young adults made the decision to drink, they made the decision to break the law and drink under age, unfortunately, for the family and friends of the victim, they now have to live with the consequences. Their lives will never be the same. To the family and friends, I am sorry for your loss.

I knew all 4 of the men in that car. i can say somthing good about each one of them. This was a mistake and an awful tragedy. Lets not over analyze this situation. we need to honor the memory of our freinds.

I have to disagree with most of you. Right now is not a time for judging these people who have friends and family mourning. There is a time for the legal process and that is after these loved ones have had a chance to say goodbye and start to heal.

Cello, you were such an amazing friend and one of the nicest, sweetest guys I have ever had the chance to get to know. I will miss your amazing smile and the way you make everyone laugh. You are going to be missed so much more than you could have ever realized.

i think its very very sad i was just with chelo before he went out i told him he should stay stayed home my prayers goes out to all the family at this said time we all loved them they were my neighbors and very friendly and chriss hang in their. and to their mom i'm very sorry for ur lost its not easy i just lost my brother a day after xmax u will be in my prayers amen.

its very very said its not easy losig a child and these family needs all the support i will pray for u everyday and night i know its hard but please peeps look at ur kids and tell them u love them everyday these kids was good neibors and funny and good to get along with and joke and talk please kiss ur child and tell them u love them

Sorry "a kid", but these two could have killed innocent people as well. Would you honor their "great memory" if that happened?

Of course it's a tragedy. Of course we are all praying for their family. Let's just not talk about these guys as heroes. If they killed someone else you would be saying the exact opposite.

Up here in Boston some kid killed an old lady walking her dog after he got drunk after prom. Is he so awesome and we should celebrate his life?

Drunk driving is a crime. Sorry it is. And more often than not it kills people in another car.

To all

My brother (Aram Pothier) was one of the ones that was killed. Stop Judging them and keep your dan comments to you self unless it is something nice. It was a mistake and they have payed the ultimate price for it including Robert Baez. Soo in closing be respectful please

To Kathy and all other judgemental posters:

I think you should probably keep your opinions to yourself at this time. Your are being a judgemental fool and if you were in the position where one of your loved ones or friends dies in a tragic accident then you would not be saying that. Please be respectful, we are all grieving right now.

Obviously it was a mistake. Noone means to kill their best friends. All boys made bad decisions and payed the ultimate price.

RIP boys, we all love you.

Rich - please ignore those who don't understand the pain they cause by being judgemental. Hopefully they will never find themselves in this situation, but if they do, they will suddenly realize how incredibly hurtful these comments can be. Those of us who knew the people involved in this accident know how truly tragic it was, regardless of the circumstances, and we ache for them and their families.

I'm very sadden to read all of this. I think some of you need to RE-READ the article. YES i think we can all agree that drunk driving is a terrible crime, and i think we can all agree that these 19 year old's know right from wrong.

BUT in the article it states that the men who died sat in back seat of the car. The only mistake they made that night was A) under age drinking and B) getting into the car with another person who was under the influence. THEY ARE THE VICTIMS HERE!!

The driver and the bar should be held responsible for their actions. so let the young men who passed away be horned and remembered.

my prayers go out to the families....
i grew up in Bellingham.

The other mistake you left out was...that innocent boys in the back seat made:

Letting their drunk "friend" get behind the wheel!!!!

That makes three mistakes so far....also, the third boy that was in the back seat ran from the accident....

Yes, this was an "accident" but, it could have been prevented. Some lost their lives and the others have to live with this forever...sad...

I don't see how laying blame is particularly productive in a situation like this, but if that's what people want to do, let's lay the blame where it really belongs--on the drinking age! If these young men had been able to walk into their neighborhood bar and have a beer like 19-year-olds pretty much anywhere else on the planet can do, they could have walked (or crawled, if necessary) home rather than having to drive. When will people realize that raising the drinking age *requires* people who are underage to drink and drive, either to find a lax drinking establishment, or to consume beverages bought for them by an older friend? It's all fine and good to say they shouldn't have gotten in the car after they'd been drinking, but how on earth were they supposed to get home all the way from Providence otherwise?

I hope the police do some digging, and parents check your kids facebooks. I too was concerned when my child thought he was "going to go to Providence" to "club" last year like numererous friends have posted on his page in the past few years. Makes me wonder if there was a bar that was serving them.......?????
Hope the Police do some digging there.
All nice kids.
God Bless these two families.

MAY GOD BE WITH ALL OF THE TEENS AND THE FAMILIES.

I HAVE TEENS AND IT WOULD KILL ME IF THIS HAPPEN TO THEM.. WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT RI THAT TEENS FROM OUT OF STATE KNOW THEY CAN GET SERVED IN A BAR IN PROV.. THE BAR OWNER AND OR EMPLOYEE IS JUST AS GUILTY...

Why were they served? Mugshots should have their doors closed. It's the law!!!

Unless you ALL talk to the families or the ones that survived the accident than you all should keep your opinions to yourselves. You all just a little part of the story and the rest you have assumed and that makes me sick. It doesn't matter who did what what matters is 2 KIDS are dead, 1 will never walk again, 1 will never forget the horror he saw and the 4 families will never know life as it was before this accident. Until you know the entire story, until you have walked a mile in these kids and families shoe keep your opinion to yourself. God forbid anything like this happens to anyone of you or your family members but should it, have comfort knowing that I will keep my opinion to myself and i will pray for you and your families.