Empty shoes tell the grim story of DUI dangers

Heather Rawlyk

Tuesday, April 20, 2004 | 9:11 a.m.

The steps leading to the Clark County Courthouse told the story Monday with a single glance: 188 pairs of shoes were grouped side-by-side, symbolizing the number of Nevadans killed in drunken and drugged driving crashes in 2003.

The display was planned by STOP DUI in observance of National Crime Victims Rights Week, which kicked off Monday at the courthouse with the "Rainbow of Remembrance," in which families and loved ones of murder victims gathered and released balloons in memory of the lost.

The display featured a variety of shoes, including women's high heels, men's work boots and sneakers, and children's jelly shoes and sandals. The majority of the shoes belonged to the victims and were donated by family members and loved ones, according to Sandy Heverly, executive director and co-founder of STOP DUI.

All 188 pairs were donated to the Las Vegas Rescue Mission at the end of the day.

Heverly said STOP DUI created the display to connect a visual image to the consequences of drinking and driving.

"We could talk numbers all day, but when you see these shoes, all different shoes with some being children's, that paints a mental picture," she said.

Cheryl McCandless, a STOP DUI member whose husband, Bill, was killed by a drugged driver in December 2002, said, "This gives a very visual effect."

"When you look at each pair of shoes, you think that each pair is attached to many others who were affected by that person's death," she said.

Three pairs belonged to Bill McCandless, who had just retired from Las Vegas Fire & Rescue before his death.

Cheryl McCandless pointed out a pair of dress shoes, firefighter shoes and hunting boots once worn by her husband.

"I still have his slippers, though," she said. "They're still sitting right by the bed. I haven't moved them."

Peggy Haney, a STOP DUI member who lost her 50-year-old son, Tony Lisciandrello, to a drunk driver, pointed out a pair of boots and sighed.

"This has got to do something," she said. "I believe people who see this will give it a second thought before they get behind the wheel tonight after having a drink."

Several passersby agreed, saying the display had a lot of "shock value" that would give people second thoughts about drinking and driving.

"I thought this was a shoe drive for homeless people," said Anthony Kabas, 24, of Phoenix. "When I found out what it was, it gave me the chills. I think more people need to see this to get the chills I just got and call a cab tonight to get home."