I’ve been sick. I missed my birthday festivities and didn’t even have any cake. And you know how much I love cake. While I was in the middle of my pity party, I saw some news.
You might remember when I wrote about a careless drunk doctor who slammed into an innocent ballet dancer and took her life. About a year ago, Raymond Cook took to the wheel after several too many cocktails. He was driving at speeds that only hubris and a ne’er care less attitude could fuel. Some people at a local tavern tried to stop him, but didn’t want to get punched in the face or something so they let the doc go. I don’t know exactly what transpired that night, but there were accounts of people trying to stop Raymond Cook from driving. I’ve worked in bars and have taken a patron’s keys and called a cab on more than one occasion. Sure, I got cussed out but I didn’t care. All I know about the night Raymond Cook drove off from a local bar’s parking lot is this:
20-year old Elena Shapiro died.
42-year old Raymond Cook walked away unscathed.
In fact, he’s not only walking around unscathed today, thanks to the $250,000 bond that he could afford to cough up, he’s driving. Apparently killing someone while drunk behind the wheel is not grounds to lose your license in North Carolina. WTF?! Astonishing. Cook surrendered his medical license but, he drives on. You just might see him in the car pool line. I kid you not.
Raymond Cook was initially charged with second-degree murder and driving while impaired. Driving 90 miles an hour while impaired. There was talk of a plea deal that he didn’t accept, but largely this case was brushed aside by the media. I don’t know why the local press didn’t delve into this case. Is there an unwritten code to leave the rich alone lest they wield their power? It’s not the first time a story involving the Haves of our community has been folded up and tucked neatly away. So it seems the good doctor is now facing a new charges – felony death by motor vehicle. This is tacked onto the original charge of second degree murder. The trial starts November 1. We’ll see if he can pay his way out.
And for the record, while this is the home of 5:00 Fridays, I have zero tolerance for drinking irresponsibly. Zip. Nada. Zilch.
And lest you think I have no sympathy, I do feel for Raymond Cook’s wife and children. They will pay for his lack of judgment and severe irresponsibility for the rest of their lives. The difference is, they all still have their lives.
You can contribute to the Elena Shapiro Memorial Fund to help keep her spirit alive.
So in NC you can kill someone while drunk driving & still have your license. More on the Dr. Cook/ballerina story. http://bit.ly/c2sSt4
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Preach! RT @IlinaP: NC you can kill someone while drunk driving & still have your license. Dr. Cook/ballerina story. http://bit.ly/c2sSt4
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Where is the outrage here, people? Drive drunk at 90 mph. Kill a girl. Walk away. Continue driving. http://bit.ly/cd2anM
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
That. Is. Ass.
Uch… sickening. And saddening. 🙁
WHAT?!? This dude is still able to drive! That is ridiculous.
This is such a disturbing story. I followed it from the moment it happened. I’m outraged that a medical professional got in his car drunk, let alone a “regular” person. I’ve driven past the accident scene. I don’t even understand how you can DRIVE 90mph. I can only imagine the pure arrogance.
I am sure the rest of his life will be filled with regret. But that one decision on that one day cost someone their life. It was tragic and unnecessary. I doubt he’s drinking and driving these days. I don’t really care that he is driving at all. Because I know his day will come and I know he will be spending a long time behind bars. If that justice doesn’t occur? Then you will hear real outrage.
Helpful and excellent things you got here. Keep on! I’m usually looking to learn on that issue.
Look, he’s a doctor. He needs to be serving patients. I’m sure he’s sorry. Just move on. He needs to be able to drive. What’s he supposed to do? Hire a limo? I’m sure he’s learned his lesson
Our son, nephew, cousin, friend, SEVON CAMERON, killed/murdered by curtis t cash, Sept 26, 2010. Yep, drunk. Granville county. Yep, trying to plea. Definitely not “its” first time behind the wheel of his weapon of choice. SEVON was 15.
Auntie Monique
Our son, nephew, cousin, friend, SEVON CAMERON, killed/murdered by curtis t cash, Sept 26, 2010. Yep, drunk. Granville county. Yep, trying to plea. Definitely not “its” first time behind the wheel of his weapon of choice. SEVON was 15. Trying to get this some “airtime ” as well, Help!!!
Auntie Monique
Just an FYI, your license is not taken until you are convicted of the crime. . .in court. . . by jurors. Even though there is no doubt he was drunk when he did this, the system is set up in such a way that he gets to keep driving until he gets sentenced and then he will lose his license for at least a year – probably longer since he will most likely end up in jail for a pretty long time. . .
Hey Mom….this whole gig makes me sick.
It makes me sick for both families.
It makes me sick for the thoughts of pure ruin of good doctors life.
It makes me think of my to daughters everytime they leave the driveway in a car, just how precious life is for all of us.
I don’t know Cook, or their family, nor do I know the Shapiros, but I do know that a wrong has been done and society deems that the offender pays for his actions.
God bless the families!
Now, on a legal note, by you posting that Cook was driving 90 or patrons saw this or said that should be a matter to be detailed in court and not hearsay in this type forumn.
You, me and any others don’t know any real facts other than a tragedy has occurred.
What a shame!
Theres two sides to every story and both sides of this stroy are horrible.
What a injustice? This asshole should have gotten convicted of 2nd degree murder and because two jurors bullied the other 10 he got away with murder. Maybe those jurors were former drunks or had family members that were drunks, who knows. Hopefully their loved ones wont get killed by a drunk driver but if they do then maybe they will see that it’s no accident. I hope someone in prison makes him his girlfriend and he goes through hell each and every day of his petty sentence. And get this….this asshole had a DWI conviction in Georgia where he was going 110 mph!! And his OJ Dream Team got his ass off that one too ! I guarantee that the guy who killed the child in Goldsboro because he was shooting at someone else will get convicted of murder even though he did not have “malice” or mean to have killed her. It’s clearly a double standard for murder. Guess if you want to take someone out make sure you are drunk off your ass and hit them with a car. To the Shapiro’s…..SUE THE HELL OUT OF THE COUNTRY CLUB, THE BAR, THE “GIRLFRIEND” (not his wife), and HIS ASS WHEN HE GETS OUT OF PRISON !!! Mr. Cook failed to shed one tear, apologize or show any remorse to the grieving family. SHAME ON YOU ASSHOLE!! I HOPE YOU GET WHAT’S COMING TO YOU ! And to his attorney’s..job well done! You helped a murderer get a slap on the wrist. Hope you sleep well at night with your head on the heap of money he paid you. Hopefully a drunk will not hurt anyone in your family either.
hey mate, you got an amazin site, check our latest movies download