If you can’t control your car, don’t get behind the wheel

The recent hit and run accidents, which occurred in both the City of Tonawanda and the Village of Lancaster seem to be taking the heat off of the also recent “Drive your car into a building” accidents.

What is the problem with these drivers?

Fingers were pointed at elderly drivers after a slue of them “accidently” drove their vehicles into local businesses, causing damage to the stores, injuring themselves and others, and killing some.

However, lets shed some light on the younger drivers who made decisions that were not so “accidental.”

It’s one thing to mistakenly pull out into traffic and accidently hit a pedestrian. Although, this is a punishable crime - it could happen, and it’s forgivable. However, to hit someone - especially a child or young adult - and just keep driving is disgusting behavior.

Michael Ettipio, 23, of Lancaster, is the man charged with manslaughter for the death of 14-year-old Bryce Buchholz, of Elma, after he was driving drunk and lost control of his vehicle on Lake Avenue, Lancaster.

Ettipio chose to drive away from the scene and leave Bryce lying on the side of the road lifeless. Instead of showing concern for Bryce and his condition, Ettipio chose to hightail it out of there and start to clean up the remnants of the scene, which left a stain on his vehicle.

In the City of Tonawanda, Leslie Ralston, 32, of Cheektowaga continued driving west on Niagara Street after hitting two teenagers with his vehicle, one of which held onto the hood of Ralston’s vehicle clinging for dear life for almost 200 feet.

Where is the remorse?

These men are both cowards. These victims were young adults. Luckily for both Zachary and Brittany, who were struck in Tonawanda, they survived. But, Bryce and his family have paid the ultimate price for someone else’s carelessness.

That boy didn’t deserve that.

The answer is simple - don’t get behind the wheel if you are impaired in any way.

Someone’s life was taken from them, because of a poor decision. This behavior is unacceptable.

As for Ralston, whose vehicle was found stowed away in a parking lot, because he was too cowardly to show his face.

Showing up at the police station to turn himself in, while protected by his lawyer, was an even more cowardly way to admit his wrongdoings.

These men don’t deserve any breaks from the court system and hopefully theses matters will not be taken lightly.