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Michael Gagnon Is An Asshole
Created on January 01st, 2008 by Morbid now with 11,087 views
Tags: Drunk Driving, Michael Gagnon, Murder
Category Drunk Driving| Murder |
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262 responses so far ↓
Pages: « 1 2 3 [4] 5 6 » Show All
151
Ruby
Jan 3, 2008 at 11:38 am -PS I may have missed something, but post said Sam’s apology was posted on the myspace of someone named Theresa? Who is Theresa, and why was the apology posted there? Can someone get me a clue, please??
152
Hippiepoet
Jan 3, 2008 at 12:05 pm -Thanks Ash for the information, I thought I read where emergency workers “found” it in the road, intact.
153
Morbid
Jan 3, 2008 at 1:24 pm -Autopsies yesterday showed Mrs. Griffin died from multiple injuries to her head, chest, and abdomen; Jordan and Lacie each died of a broken neck, and Haley and Vadie died of massive head injuries, according to Dr. James Patrick, the county coroner.
154
dammitall
Jan 3, 2008 at 2:00 pm -Bout the only thing you can say for it is at least they went quick. It’s what’s left of the family that gets the years of suffering
155
Kathy
Jan 3, 2008 at 2:07 pm -From what I can tell, Theresa is their sister. I guess they realized that everyone was finding their myspace pages and wanted it to be put out there.
156
Wonder
Jan 3, 2008 at 2:11 pm -NO not at all ! that is absurd that any of this was their fault I was just curious as to the # of passengers that type van carrys. My Ex had an Astro van i believe it was. the back seat because of the fender wheel sat 2. Most the time they had the seat removed and the kids hid back in the hatch with no seat belts. Thinking that is a long trip to be cramped. kids sitting on each others laps.
When I was a kid we travels with one of our neighbors and we had 4 kids in the backseat and 2 of us would sleep in the back floor and two would share the seat. Oh memories I remember that hump in the middle floor.
157
jewels828
Jan 3, 2008 at 2:17 pm -I suppose on a comforting note, Bethany’s friend said last night on Nancy Grace that Danny, the husband had said that everyone else was asleep, he was the only one awake, so they never saw it coming.
158
Morbid
Jan 3, 2008 at 2:21 pm -Awesome. Seriously.
Aside from the few surviving, that is about the best news to come out of this so far.
159
Ruby
Jan 3, 2008 at 2:36 pm -That is awesome. I hope that Danny will find some small measure of comfort in that fact for the rest of his life.
The article I read in the Baltimore Sun said that Danny’s two kids from his first marriage actually live with their mom in MI, and were heading back to MD with them for a visit. Has anyone seen that anywhere else? I hadn’t seen anything about his ex-wife, but she’s got to be going through a world of hurt, too.
The myspace site that was set up for them is remarkably generous and forgiving. Clearly these were people of deep faith — and it sustained them and IS sustaining those who loved them. I can’t claim to share that faith, but hell’s bells, if it offers them any measure of comfort right now, I’m all for it.
Damn. This one just tears me up.
160
tabularasa9
Jan 3, 2008 at 2:38 pm -Another death caused by a young, white trash, egotistical, HUGE truck owner, who happens to live through a head on and killing 5.
161
solange822001
Jan 3, 2008 at 2:45 pm -Hahahaha, what a nightmare!
162
solange822001
Jan 3, 2008 at 2:49 pm -See, this is what I don’t understand about you guys’ “being drunk makes you less likely to be injured” theory. There people didn’t even see it coming, so how could they tense up? I think the reason they died and dick-head came out with a little scratch is because of the monstrous hunk of metal he had protecting him.
163
Rosie
Jan 3, 2008 at 2:53 pm -If his question has been asked and answered, my apologies, but how fast were the vehicles going at the time of impact?
And thank you Ruby, I kind of feel bad for Samuel and their family as well. So many families touched by this drunk driving incident - I wish sometimes alcohol was illegal.
164
colomom
Jan 3, 2008 at 2:58 pm -For what it is worth…I couldn’t help but think, what if it was my brother? Just something to consider.
165
Kathy
Jan 3, 2008 at 3:10 pm -To all the people feeling sorry for this guys brother: Remember, he was out with him partying. His truck was the one used in this slaughter. Also, his first comment had everything to do with feeling sorry for himself and his brother. We didn’t get the other comments until later, probably written after he realized all the negative things that were being said about him. Now the rest of the family, I may have some sympathy for. But not because they are losing a son to prison, but because he has brought such shame an embarrassment to them. They will still get to see him on visiting days if they choose and chances are, he will be out one day to party again. The other family does not have that luxury…all because of a choice some douchebag with a truck made.
You KNOW when you have a family member that is a fuck up. And from the sounds of it, this guy was irresponsible. I have a fuck up for a brother and I tell you, if he ever gets in serious trouble, I will not make any excuses for him and I sure as hell won’t try to lesson the blow for him. He knows it. Personal responsibility people! Get some!
166
jewels828
Jan 3, 2008 at 3:13 pm -The article I read in the Baltimore Sun said that Danny’s two kids from his first marriage actually live with their mom in MI, and were heading back to MD with them for a visit. Has anyone seen that anywhere else? I hadn’t seen anything about his ex-wife, but she’s got to be going through a world of hurt, too.
Yes, from what I understand, the 2 girls, Sydney and Jordan, were living with their maternal grandmother, and their mother, and were going back with Bethany and Danny to visit. I too was curious about the speed, I have not heard anything about that. I’m assuming if the Griffins were on a ramp and rounding a curve, they weren’t going too fast, and from what I’ve heard from the 911 calls, the drunk was flying, which he probably was.
167
WryBread
Jan 3, 2008 at 3:23 pm -Wonder - I am so sorry for the loss of your friend’s daughter. What a blow it must be when you knew her from the day she was born. I know how it is to go on automatic and do what must be done in the midst of a tragedy and then the feelings slip in when things slow down. It’s very hard. I am thinking of you in your grief.
168
tabularasa9
Jan 3, 2008 at 3:27 pm -I can’t stand that bitch.
169
WryBread
Jan 3, 2008 at 3:40 pm -Solange2001 — It’s not a theory. Relaxing to minimize the damage of impact is a technique taught to people to protect them. It is the reason given that drunks tend to walk away from accidents. People who react to the anticipation of a blow or fall will tend to have more serious injuries.
I didn’t mean to suggest that it’s the complete explanation of the outcome of every single accident that involves drunks. Your view of this wreck has real truth, but it doesn’t mean that while the impact was great enough to kill a sleeping family, the drunk wasn’t also protected by being floppy in the crash.
I have tried the relax technique and it works. It’s strange to relax while you’re slipping off a curb and your ankle is turning beneath you, or when you’ve slid on ice and are going down, but it works. I always marvel at how weird it is that something that seems so nonsensical is actually correct. I guess we naturally think that tensing up is a form of preparation or protection.
170
pms.247
Jan 3, 2008 at 3:46 pm -Funny thing about watching Nancy Grace. She’s been gone for a few months now due to the births of her babies and medical problems, and the people that have stood in for her are as obnoxious as she is - both the men and the women. They all talk way louder than is necessary, interrupt the people they are interviewing, etc. They are emulating Nancy instead of being themselves. NO one can be as irritatating as NG.
171
colomom
Jan 3, 2008 at 3:47 pm -And you would be absolutely correct in not making excuses or trying to lessen a blow BUT….you might feel more compassion, and a ton of sadness. That is something we, as non-family members, wouldn’t naturally feel.
If it was my brother, I would have started crying that night and I would still be crying today.
172
Hippiepoet
Jan 3, 2008 at 3:55 pm -Not fond of Ms Grace, but yes, I am so glad that they were asleep. They never knew what hit them. Oh and even with the two seats, I really don’t know how in the hell, they packed bags and packages plus all those folks into the van….
You see my thought and yeah it is a sick one…..at least they crashed early on, instead of riding the whole fucking way to Maryland with that car load. Go ahead throw shit at me…*ducks head*. It was just a damn thought. I hate riding and when we took road trips with the kids, we’d be so packed in, a fucking fart would run you the hell out. I mean if fate were to have me die in a car wreck, do it early in the goddamn trip.
Peace.
173
ashdavus
Jan 3, 2008 at 4:09 pm -The speed limit on I75 through there is 60MPH. You don’t slow down when the other freeway’s split off of 75. Who knows how fast the asshat was going.
174
fromadistance
Jan 4, 2008 at 1:25 am -I don’t have to wonder or think about it. I’m living it. This story has brought back the most painful memories in my life. Our drunk driver died and everyone agreed that person would not have been able to live with the guilt. It was a blessing. It was my sibling and it is a shame you live with forever. It was a very long time ago. Trust me the Gagnon family will never get over the loss of the children and their mother. And to tell you the truth it would have been easier for them to have to bury their son. I’m not defending anyone and I do not know this family but the sad fact is that I know what it’s like to walk in their shoes.
175
Wonder
Jan 4, 2008 at 7:00 am -wasn’t nancy that made the statement, it was an expert she asked - I would assume a prosceutor or an attorney that explained the different in intent and negilgent
** ty Wry for your sympathy and for noticing
I am so sorry fromadistance that happen to your family. **
176
impqueen
Jan 4, 2008 at 10:16 am -I see what you’re saying, Ruby, and I admit I did sound harsh. I meant it. My brother has done some horrible, messed-up stuff in his life. I am fortunate that he’s never killed anyone.
But if he did, you can bet my first statement to the media wouldn’t be all about how “Now my brother gets to spend his life in jail”, which was precisely what Sam had to say in the first two days following this tragedy. Not a word of apology until after the shitstorm started. Also, unless Michael mugged Sam and stole the keys, it does look rather like the keys were made readily available for a drunk driver, and as they were Sam’s keys, Sam does bear some responsibility here.
Mainly, though I was pissed because no part of that message seemed sincere and therefore appeared to me as though Sam didn’t write it himself. And to me, an apology someone else has to write for a person is worse than no apology at all. The wording, particularly of the last paragraph, had me boiling. I don’t think that losing your entire family qualifies as a “new challenge”. I also think that “may the words of my mouth and the meditations on each of our hearts be acceptable in your sight” sounds like something my father-in-law prays in public on high holy days and has no ring of sincerity to it whatsoever. Of course, YMMV.
So yeah, I was harsh. I’m sorry if that was offensive to you, but i’m not sorry i said it. ‘Cause if my brother had done this, I’d have been all out in the media apologizing all over myself and selling whatever I had to in order to help that family. No excuses, no “oh, woe is Mike”. Just “damn, i am SO SO SO SO SO sorry.”
177
impqueen
Jan 4, 2008 at 10:28 am -a further note on the Gagnon family: my sympathies lie with all of them (except Michael), even Sam to some small extent. As a sibling of someone who’s done his share of hurting people, I understand the pain and embarrassment they’re going through. I have lived that, albeit to a lesser extent, for years.
But Danny and Bethany Griffin’s family will never recover from this. Ten years from now, Michael Gagnon’s name will not automatically engender anger and hatred toward the other members of his family. But the Griffin and Burkman families will still be incomplete. Those children and Bethany will still be dead. And that’s where my sympathies lie.
Wonder, i’m so sorry for your loss. What a horrible thing to go through - you must still be very raw from the shock, and i’m sorry. I hope you and your friend will be able to find some peace in the months and years ahead.
178
Morbid
Jan 4, 2008 at 10:55 am -I was wondering when someone from the “Samuel” side of the fence would post. Did your sibling kill someone else? By the guilt statement I am assuming they did. Also, just out of curiosity, did they habitually drive while drunk?
179
solange822001
Jan 4, 2008 at 12:27 pm -Fromadistance, I am so sorry for what you and your family have gone through. Thank you so much for telling us your story, and giving us some insight into what this is like.
Also, I’m not sure if I said this before or not, but this guy just seems worse to me than the average drunk driver. I know that I have a tendency form a lot of opinions based on emotion and not facts, but I can’t help having that feeling. I’m not saying others are any better, but something about this guy’s actions just makes me hate him even more. He really had no reason to leave the bar, whatsoever (no good reason, anyway). I am sure he KNEW that he was driving on the wrong side of the road and wrecklessly, and in his abbreviated state he did not care. If I read correctly, he knew that the taco bell employee had called the cops on him, and that still didn’t seem to faze him. On top of that, it was said that he knew he had crashed into a family, but showed no remorse whatsoever as the firefighters were trying to pull him out of the truck. This “man” is something worse that just a person who made a bad decision one night. This guy is plain evil to me.
180
Anonymoustoo
Jan 4, 2008 at 12:40 pm -As an extended family member of the Gagnons, I hesitate to post here, as I fully expect to be hit with the full extent of everyone’s anger. That anger is certainly justified, given the horrific crime that was committed. If that type of response helps people to cope with this, then by all means bring it. I reply here not to spark a debate, nor to try to evoke sympathy for our family. I reply with one purpose: to try to provide some information that hopefully will help to bring some healing to all of us affected by this horrible, horrible event.
When the family first learned of the tragedy, everyone was shocked, stunned, saddened, and angry (with Michael), and initial comments made by Sam should not be taken as a true indicator of his feelings about this tragedy. Sam’s sister, Theresa, wrote the family statement alluded to earlier and reveals the family’s true feelings about what happened.
Last Sunday, our family held their annual Christmas party at the Rodeo Bar & Grille in Oregon, OH. One of the owners of Rodeo is Michael’s cousin, which is why it was being held there. It had nothing to do with any Rodeo Bar New Years “event.” It was originally scheduled for the previous Sunday, and was postponed due to a snowstorm. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins totalling around 35 family members were there for gift exchange, food & drinks. Rooms were rented at the Holiday Inn Express next door. Michael’s 19 year old sister was to be the DD (she is pregnant).
Several of the family left the party early as they were not staying the night, and drove back to Michigan (legally able to drive). I was one of those who left early. That is the extent of my personal knowledge of the evening, and any further details on the rest of the evening’s events need to be addressed through the courts as this case makes its way through the system.
Michael was and is extremely distraught over what happened. He has been on suicide watch previously, but I do not know his current state of mind.
Gagnon Construction is not a big company, but is(was) Michael & Sam’s business (just the 2 of them) building decks, barns, sheds, etc.
That is all I can say about this, except to echo Theresa’s statement about how truly deeply sorry we are for the loss of Bethany, Vadi, Lacie, Haley & Jordan, and for the pain & loss being endured by Danny, Sydney, and Beau and the rest of the Griffin & Burkman families.
If I can answer any questions, I will try, but keep in mind even the closest family members do not know much of what happened that night.
181
pms.247
Jan 4, 2008 at 12:51 pm -Thank you for your insite, Anonymoustoo - and for posting here. Obviously a very fun, family night turned horrendously bad and it makes us all realize how ones whole life can change (or end) in one instant - and in this case, with all the families involved, many lives will never be the same. I send my deepest thoughts and prayers to you and your family as well as the Griffin and Burkmans. It’s refreshing to know that when Michael sobered up he realized what he did and, hopefully, isn’t the beligerent person we have all seen.
182
Morbid
Jan 4, 2008 at 12:52 pm -Anonymoustoo,
I was wondering if any family members would find this article and post. First off, thanks for clearing up some of the information. I was curious as to why a hotel room had been booked, and you have just cleared that up for me.
Second, I don’t think anyone is mad at your family. Just Michael. Yeah, Sam’s initial comments seemed a little self-serving, but I don’t think most intelligent people took to much stock into a news blurb from a man’s first reaction to the news his brother just killed the majority of a family.
Most of the questions I have is not why did Michael drive drunk, as it happens all the time and I cannot sit on any type of high horse and exclaim I did not do it myself in my youth (and before anyone starts emailing me that I am a hypocrite, make no mistake, I was an asshole as well). My questions are simply, how did he get the keys, and who the hell kept serving this guy. It wasn’t as if it wasn’t noticeable that he was intoxicated…it’s not very often that drive-thru employees call 911.
I know those are not questions you can answer, but thanks for posting. I don’t think you will be suffering the brunt of any anger filled tirades. Everyone knows you had nothing to do with any of this.
183
Ruby
Jan 4, 2008 at 1:10 pm -Thanks for posting, Anonymoustoo.
I don’t think you’ll get slammed — at least I hope you won’t! You’ll see in above posts that I was trying to stem the tide of anger directed towards Sam and your family. Michael alone is responsible, and I believe should (and will) be held fully accountable.
But I also understand the toll this will take on your entire family for years to come. That’s not to say that should overshadow what the Griffin/Burkman family is dealing with. But in a situation like this, no one has a monopoly on pain or grief.
With sympathy for ALL involved,
Ruby
184
rollyo
Jan 4, 2008 at 1:42 pm -Even though the Truck was in Sam’s name, no one know for sure whether it was Sams truck. I could have been a truck that they bought for the business and was in Sams name but was micheals truck. Hard to blame Sam you can only do some much to stop a drunk driver. the blame need to rest fully on Micheals shoulders.
185
Anonymoustoo
Jan 4, 2008 at 1:53 pm -Thanks for those kind words. The reason I expect comments is because one of Michael’s other cousins was listed as a friend on Sam’s MySpace, and received nasty and threatening messages. He just returned from Iraq in August, and didn’t deserve it. Again, no sympathy required…he can handle it.
I wish I could answer more about what happened. It would help me deal with this better.
Just to be clear about one thing: I hope that Michael gets the punishment he deserves for his stupidity and irresponsibility. No less….and also no more….
186
rollyo
Jan 4, 2008 at 1:56 pm -this was an acticle from the toledo blade today about the bar that they were at:
http://www.toledoblade.com/app...../801040390
I-280 WRONG-WAY CRASH
Oregon’s Rodeo bar searched for clues; human growth hormone found
Gagnon
ALSO ONLINE: Iowa caucus Dems back Obama; GOP supports Huckabee
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By MEGHAN GILBERT and LAREN WEBER
BLADE STAFF WRITER
While searching the Rodeo Bar and Grill, where Michael Gagnon is believed to have been drinking before his involvement in a deadly I-280 crash on Sunday, authorities found something they weren’t expecting: human growth hormone.
They came across the substance in a filing cabinet at the bar at 3150 Navarre Ave. Wednesday afternoon while looking for video, receipts, bar tabs, financial records, and employee records as part of their crash investigation.
Agents with the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Liquor Control, with the assistance of Oregon police, got what they sought: paperwork, including bar tabs and receipts; computer files, and a recording from the bar’s surveillance system.
HOW TO HELP
Anyone wishing to donate to the Griffin family to help defray medical and funeral costs can do so here. It’s a fund set up by Matt Nachtrab of Toledo.
St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church also has set up a fund for the family. Donations can be sent to 7001 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21234.
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http://www.myspace.com/bhjlv
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But they also took away two boxes containing Jintropin, a brand of human growth hormone, vials, and two syringes; a pill container with nine white-colored tablets of clenbuterol, a drug known to promote muscle growth similar to anabolic steroids; a glass bottle with dropper containing an unknown clear liquid; $15,703.82 in cash, and syringes.
“This is not an uncommon thing to do a search warrant for one thing and then find something else,” Oregon police Detective Sgt. Paul Magdich said.
They weren’t looking for drugs, he said, but after finding them, investigators got a second warrant to confiscate what they found.
The bar was searched three days after a pickup driven the wrong way on I-280 by Mr. Gagnon collided with a minivan, killing five members of a family headed from the Detroit area to suburban Baltimore. Mr. Gagnon had a blood-alcohol level of more than three times the legal limit.
It’s not illegal to possess human growth hormone if it’s prescribed by a doctor, said Steve Robertson, special agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
But it is a little odd, he said, to store such medicine in a drinking establishment.
“If this is for legitimate use, why is it sitting in a bar?” said Mr. Robertson, who specified the federal Drug Enforcement Administration had no involvement in the case.
The Rodeo Bar and Grill and Holiday Inn Express share a parking lot in Oregon, where Michael Gagnon is believed to have been drinking before the fatal crash.
( THE BLADE/JETTA FRASER )
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According to the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, if human growth hormone is used for reasons “other than the treatment of a disease or other recognized medical condition,” the offense can be punishable by up to five years in prison.
It’s unclear why the drugs were in the bar or who they belong to.
Oregon police Sergeant Magdich said it’s very early in the investigation.
Toledo police continue to probe the crash that killed Bethany Griffin, 36; Jordan Griffin, 10; Lacie Burkman, 7; Haley Burkman, 10, and Vadie Griffin, 8 weeks old.
Sydney Griffin, 8, remains in serious condition in St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center. Beau Burkman was released from the hospital on Monday, and his stepfather, Danny Griffin, who was driving the van, was released on Wednesday.
Mr. Gagnon has been charged with five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide.
While Toledo police are focused on the crash and not necessarily what happened in the Oregon bar, it was an alcohol-related incident — prompting the look into where Mr. Gagnon drank beforehand.
It appears he and his family were having a holiday party at the Oregon bar where his cousin, Glen Murdzia, is an owner, according to the search warrants filed in Oregon Municipal Court.
Oregon police Officer Jeff Brown had information about where Mr. Gagnon was drinking that night because he spoke with Mr. Murdzia after hearing about the accident.
According to the search warrant, Officer Brown “jokingly” sent a text message to Mr. Murdzia telling him to be careful about bar patrons driving drunk. Mr. Murdzia replied to the officer that his cousin was missing.
While the warrant identifies Mr. Murdzia as a bar owner, only Michael Yousif and Jon Roumaya are listed on its liquor permit.
The officer and Mr. Murdzia spoke on the phone after Officer Brown started his shift at 11 p.m., and Mr. Murdzia told him that the suspect in the crash, Mr. Gagnon, was his cousin, according to the warrant.
He also told the officer that they noticed Mr. Gagnon and a pickup truck owned by his brother, Samuel Gagnon, were missing before the crash.
Mr. Yousif, Mr. Roumaya, and Mr. Murdzia could not be reached for comment regarding the bar search or the crash.
A woman who identified herself as a manager at the Rodeo Bar and Grill declined to comment.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety, which is receiving evidence taken during the search warrant, gets involved in investigations of alcohol-related crashes upon request, spokesman Lindsay Komlanc said.
Lt. Kevin Keel, commander of the Toledo Police Department traffic section, said he contacted the state agency because police have “unsubstantiated information” that there was a problem at the liquor establishment.
Although Ms. Komlanc would not say whether the bar was suspected of violating its liquor permit, she said continuing to knowingly serve or sell alcohol to an intoxicated person is illegal.
Over-serving is considered a third-degree misdemeanor if such a charge is filed against a bar employee, she said. If the bar itself is cited for over-serving, it is considered a violation of its liquor permit.
Ms. Komlanc declined to comment further.
The Rodeo Bar and Grill has had no liquor permit violations since March, when its permit was issued, said Matt Mullins, spokesman for the Ohio Division of Liquor Control.
187
WryBread
Jan 4, 2008 at 1:57 pm -From a Distance — I am very sorry for what you and your family had to endure.
It sounds as if people tried to head this driver away from getting back on the road. It’s not so easy to persuade a drunk. I know a woman in her 70s who drinks too much and even she can be scary and strong when in her cups.
I had a friend get mad, snatch back her keys, and abandon me in the middle of a city at 3 am because I said she was too drunk to drive. I stood in the pour rain and cried as she drove away — not because of my situation, but because I wasn’t sure she was going to get to her house without killing or being killed.
She eventually went into AA, after being stopped by the police for driving drunk and attempting to punch one of the officers.
Well, another tragedy has occurred. My heartfelt sympathies with all who have lost loved ones this way.
188
Morbid
Jan 4, 2008 at 2:08 pm -Wow. In regards to the bar article, Michael may have screwed some of his family even more. I am thinking he is not gonna be a real popular subject with his cousin. possible loss of liquor license, possible drug charges, and just a bad cloud hanging over the establishment.
189
Rosie
Jan 4, 2008 at 3:08 pm -I’m wondering if this “a glass bottle with dropper containing an unknown clear liquid” is what some people fear is being put in drinks that make people pass out and are either assaulted or raped. Its amazing at how many people I talk to that are concerned about this when they order a drink.
190
fromadistance
Jan 4, 2008 at 3:30 pm -Yes 2 children and a mother. He did but we had no idea or any idea how much he did drink or the drugs he used. It gets worse by the minute trust me.
191
fromadistance
Jan 4, 2008 at 3:57 pm -I tried to post earlier but it did not go through. It looks like this story is getting worse by the minute as mine did. I’m glad most people here don’t blame the family and I’d like to ask that people give Sam the benefit of the doubt until the whole story is out. What he said in his first quote was probably taken out of a much larger statement. I just want people to know that is is very easy to judge when you have never lived through such a horrific event as this when it hits your family. I do not know this family but I fully understand how they feel. To watch your parents in such agony and not be able to do anything is awful and you never forget it. And your in the same agony. You don’t sit in a corner and cry quietly, you scream out in such pain and agony that no Dr can ever fix the pain. You can take a pill to sleep but when you wake up it’s all right there in your face. This story has hit so close to home with me that I have been like a zombie walking around because it tore a old scab off a wound that never healed but stopped bleeding. Those of you who can understand this I appreciate it and those of you who don’t I understand that. Sending nasty messages to friends and family won’t do any good. Anonymoustoo I sent a message to Sams myspace page. I don’t know if he got it but it explains who I am just so he knows I’m not trying to say something ugly. It says he’s taking a break so I don’t know if the message went through.
192
Rosie
Jan 4, 2008 at 4:19 pm -You know I was looking at the Bethany’s Angels myspace site and they said they had been getting nasty and threatening emails since one of the friends or relatives was on Nancy Grace. That is terrible. I guess some people use the internet to show what a bad ass they are when they are really too chicken shit to say it to someone’s face.
193
solange822001
Jan 4, 2008 at 4:20 pm -Ugh, especially after reading this, I’m sorry, but I really can’t bring myself to have too much sympathy for anyone other than the deceased and their family. Nothing personal to anyone
194
Morbid
Jan 4, 2008 at 4:28 pm -Well, as is the case with most incidents like this, more people are hurt than just the families of the ones who died. I feel bad for everyone affected negatively by Michael’s decision to drive that night.
195
solange822001
Jan 4, 2008 at 6:37 pm -Trust me Morbid, I’m not saying that they don’t deserve sympathy, but I just can’t make myself feel it for whatever reason.
Another thing I was thinking about, if this was a family get-together, and no customers were there, that may explain why no bartender stopped serving him. The establishment was owned by his cousin, so I’m thinking that anyone could just go behind the bar and pour their own drinks basically, just like if I was at a house party that had a little mini bar or something. I can see how the atmosphere would be different when you have your family there partying, as opposed to customers. It’s almost like it’s not business anymore. I could be wrong though, since there are other owners.
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mg
Jan 4, 2008 at 7:18 pm -Anonymoustoo, thank you for posting, I am sorry to hear that your cousin is getting threatening messages. I do not think that is what this site is about so i really dont see anyone here doing something like that. I am praying for your family and for the Griffin/Burkman family. This story really tore me up especially since the children were so young and had so much potential that will never be realized.
I have a question for you. Was there two sets of keys? Since it was a company truck did Micheal and Sam have their own set of keys? That would explain how he left without anyone knowing.
fromadistance, thank you for posting. I am so sorry for you and your family.
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Morbid
Jan 4, 2008 at 7:28 pm -I couldn’t imagine anyone here, at least not the regular posters, saying anything threatening to anyone involved with this mess. I wont say some didn’t have fun with the refrigerator magnet thingy that was on the Rodeo Myspace page, though.
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mg
Jan 4, 2008 at 9:44 pm -i found this on another site that is talking about micheal Gagnon. (www.pysih.com) In the comments someone who is close to the family wrote this:
“Anonymous on January 3rd, 2008 10:46 am his cousin owns the bar…im sure it wasn’t the first time he was drinking more than he should. the bar is a party playground for kids under the age of 21. The owners, three YOUNG men, often have allowed girls and boys underage drink there. As a customer, I have seen many drunks leave the place..When you have 21 year old owners laughing at how drunk they can get a customer, it is no suprise this incident happened. i am sure Mike was a good christian, but i have no tolerance for drunk driving. I like the point that was said this probalby wasn’t the first time he drank and drove. Its just the first time he was caught…”
So again it goes back to the BAR and the men running the bar and allowing people to over drink.
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Morbid
Jan 4, 2008 at 10:19 pm -Damn.Michael Gagnon is on his way to overtaking Kelsey Peterson in the most viewed articles category. The first story we post of 2008, and he is h