User profile: vegasmeanie

This was very close to where my cousin's husband was killed by a drunk driver just a few months ago. Is there a local's bar close by that is allowing people behind the wheel when they can't even stand up?

@ all of you so filled with hate and wishes for pain and revenge on the driver, please read the following statement by Jeremy's father made to the Ragnar race community:

"On behalf of Jeremy, Min (Melinda for those who don't know), their 3 children, his mother and I his father, his 4 sisters and their spouses and children may I take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who has shared expressions of love and concern for us. It truly has been felt. We know you feel for us just as we do for you. Our lives have been forever changed, but we have not been destroyed. You, too, have been affected and we are sorry for that. I also want you to know of the support we have felt from the Ragnar organization. They are truly wonderful people who do care for each of us. Our team, the Wannabes will continue to support and help the Ragnar goals as much as we can. We will continue to participate. We all wannabe running for Jer. Thank you, we love you all."

I don't speak for Jeremy's family, but knowing his wife (my cousin), I'm confident that she would not want people becoming consumed with anger and hate over Jeremy's loss. Just as Jeremy's father indicated in his statement, the family has not been destroyed by this loss. He can make that statement because of our family's belief that the family unit can continue beyond our mortal lives. Jeremy's wife and children will be with him again. The reason I am confident that Min wouldn't want all this hate and anger is that I know she understands and believes the basic truths about the family that is expressed at the following link:

http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basi...

I APPRECIATE VERY MUCH mattd BEING MAN ENOUGH TO CHANGE THE TONE OF HIS COMMENTS. THANK YOU FOR POSTING THE LINK TO JEREMY'S FLICKR PAGE. EVERYONE THAT FINDS THEMSELVES CONSUMED WITH HATE AND ANGER OVER THIS TRAGEDY, PLEASE REVIEW THAT SITE, AND SEEK A SIMILAR CHANGE OF HEART THAT mattd EXPERIENCED AFTER SEEING HOW MUCH LOVE IS EXPRESSED THERE.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jkunz/

Besides running, Jeremy had a great love and interest in photography. In reviewing his photos, it is apparent that his wife and kids were his favorite subjects. Please stop the hateful comments. Please find a better way to honor Jeremy's contribution to this world.

For those interested, you can also go to www.jerandmin.com . There you can see some of the flickr photos, and can also donate to a fund that will benefit his children.

@Thumper,
I've got to comment on your post about not being the first time Ragnar Relays have had this type of tragedy. Please READ the article you provided the link for. It details a group that rallied around a friend who had lost family members to a drunk driving incident (NOT anyway related to a Ragnar Relay race). They used their time training and running in the Wasatch Back relay as an opportunity to show love and support for their friend who had suffered a great loss. The deaths themselves had nothing to do with the race.

@ SHR3D:

I respect your right to have an opinion regarding the events of this tragedy, and I would also speculate that the driver most likely is feeling destroyed by this. I also agree with your statement that we should not rush to judge the driver.

That being said, I would also encourage that you should also hold off calling this tragedy an "accident" until the details are fully known. The driver was arrested under suspicion of DUI and driving at a reckless speed. If either or both of these suspicions are proven to be true, then in no way, shape, or form can this be deemed an accident. It can then be more accurately described as intentionally reckless and irresponsible behavior for which the driver should be held accountable.

I know that Jeremy's family and our extended family are not the only families that have been damaged and broken-hearted over his loss. I hope and pray that Mr. Salayich and his loved ones will be able to someday recover from the terrible events of this weekend.

Before the regular commentators turn this tragedy into a forum of sarcasm, speculation, and snarkiness, please know that the victim was a devoted husband, and father of three young children. His wife is my cousin, and she was also participating in the race. He was an especially dear friend to our family, my brother in particular. I'm grateful that the news outlets finally picked up on this story (note it happened Saturday morning at 4:30am). I was quite frustrated by the lack of coverage. However, I hope that now that this story is being covered that a thorough investigation of the person responsible for this tragedy is conducted.