EDITORIAL

It’s always tragic to hear about the death of a child.

It’s even more devastating when you hear that that death could have

been prevented.In January, 12-year-old Shane Rooney died after being hit

while standing with his scooter and talking to a friend on Trident Lane.

He suffered critical head injuries and was in a coma for 10 days. Joy L.

Kennelly was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.

Shane’s alleged drunk driving accident was the second one he was

involved in. About a month earlier, he survived an accident on the way to

a weekend competition in Laughlin, Nev. Barrett Brown, a 35-year-old Pee

Wee coach for Huntington Beach’s Pop Warner football chapter, was

arrested on suspicion of drunk driving after his Isuzu Rodeo overturned

on a highway. Luckily, no one was seriously injured in that accident.

Three boys, including Shane, were in the vehicle.

A memorial fund was set up in Shane’s name to help pay for medical and

funeral costs, and as of last week, $4,000 had been raised.

Shane’s death just cries out that getting behind the wheel while

intoxicated is a terrible, dangerous idea. It’s something that can be

prevented.

If found guilty, Kennelly should be prosecuted to the full extent of

the law.

Our hearts go out the Rooney and Moss families.