ATTORNEYS IN BOSTON

Officer Ann Nonette O'Donnell, Unit 429, lost her life on Christmas Eve 2010 because of a drunken driver.

She was a licensed Texas Peace Officer employed by the University of Houston for 13 months prior to her death at age 24.

Ann lost everything trying to help others. En route to prevent a reported kidnapping in progress, her car veered from the road and hit a tree. She died within minutes.

This unspeakable, unfathomable tragedy was caused by a drunk driver whose passenger refused to ride with him because of his dangerous inebriated state. When the passenger jumped out of his car, he tried to capture her and drag her back.

Seeing what appeared to be an abduction, a security officer called the police and reported it.

Our daughter Ann was the first to respond. Meanwhile, other officers arrived at the scene, determined what was really happening, and began administering field sobriety tests -- which the driver failed. He was then handcuffed.

Before they could take him to the county jail for breathalyzer or blood testing, the police were notified of Ann's accident, rushed the drunken driver to the police station and left him there while they raced to help Ann. The driver was released.

This wanton act of drunken driving cost our precious daughter everything. Her life was taken from her by a criminal who today walks free. Charges against him are being considered by the District Attorney, but no decision has yet been made.

The carnage on our highways will continue until:
-- first offenses are prosecuted as felonies,
-- zero tolerance becomes the law of the land, and
-- ignition interlocks are mandated for those convicted of DUI.

Quanell X, local Houston activist, calling for the resignation of Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal. The protest was held on Jan. 31, 2008, and 150 people or so showed up at the Harris County Criminal Court to join him. It was a very interesting thing to witness, and a lot of fun to take some photos of. I have plenty more where these came from, and I'll be uploading them as soon as possible.