Charges Filed Against Driver for Dustin Ferguson’s Death in Sept. 2008 Car Crash
March 4th, 2010 by Joe BurgessJennifer Bates, of Star City, the driver of the vehicle that caused the fatal collision on September 22, 2008, that claimed the life of 19 year old Dustin “Rooster” Ferguson, has been charged with negligent homicide and aggravated assault, in Drew County Circuit Court by the prosecuting attorney’s office.
Bates had not been charged previously, because of her medical condion following the wreck.
The charge of negligent homicide includes the words “while intoxicated or with an alcohol concentration of in excess of .08%”.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In Memory of Dustin Ferguson
Posted Sept. 21, 2009.
This week marks one year since the loss of Dustin “Rooster” Ferguson in an automobile crash on HWY 425 North, near Walmart.
The number of friends and acquaintances that have come to be heard from since Dustin’s untimely death has shown just how much of an impact that his short life has made on so many people.
When MADD presented their annual Mock DWI Accident at MHS, this year’s event was done in memory of Dustin. MonticelloLive video taped the portrayal of what really happens at the scene of an alcohol related, fatality car crash, and it has been viewed over 400 times, click here to see the video.
This special edition of One Monticello Life was written by a relative of Dustin’s shortly after his death, and is tribute to how one young man, living for God, can change the world around him.———————————
What an honor it is for me to be able to write such a tribute to such a fine young man. What sorrow it is for me to sit here and wipe away tears thinking of how much he will be missed. A fine spirit, a big heart, and a love for everyone. Dustin Ferguson.
Dustin, better known as Rooster, was born September 20, 1989 to Ray and Tina Ferguson. Dustin grew up in Monticello and was a graduate of Monticello High School, and a Student at UAM. He was a free spirited guy who loved God, life, and people. Dustin was outgoing, and loved to tell stories, jokes, or just do something out of the ordinary to make people laugh. He loved to smile, and wanted to see others with a smile on their face. You could be having the worst day, and after spending about five minutes with Dustin, you forgot every problem, care or worry you had.
Dustin had many hobbies. He loved to hunt, fish, and spend time with his family and friends. Dustin also had another hobby: his faith, which he shared with countless people. His life was a testimony to the many he came in contact with.
Dustin lived his life to the fullest, never knowing if that day may have been his last. His heart was bigger than anyone I know, and he was always willing to give or to help someone in need, always putting others first. You could see Dustin’s testimony in his love, his giving and in all that he did. It was nothing to see Dustin out at Wal-Mart or a gas station in boxers, his boots and a hat. He made that wardrobe famous! But no matter what he was wearing, or where he was at, you could always count on a kind word and a smile from him.
Dustin built his life on friendship, and would fight giants for his friends or family, even if it meant getting “a little roughed up.” He always had a crowd of people around him, or could attract one very easily. If you ever needed something, Dustin was there instantly to lend a hand, a shoulder to cry on, or just a smile. It is hard to understand why God would take someone so young, who had his whole life in front of him. But we are taught not to question God, that He does all things for a reason.
Dustin believed that.
Even though he isn’t here with us on earth, you can bet that a day won’t pass, that he isn’t watching over every one of us. No one knew what the future held for Dustin, but God did, and He knew that life would be better for him in Heaven. That doesn’t make the pain any easier for any of us, and it will take weeks, months, and maybe years to get over his loss. But he will be with us in our heart, and our memories of him will help each of us get through those difficult days.
Dustin was a giver, and he gave his heart to help others, be an example, and to share his faith. Let’s not let Rooster down. Let’s continue what he did everyday: loving, helping, sharing and smiling. Rest in Peace Dustin, for we will see you real soon. Thank you for being an example to us all, and thank you for being such a great One Monticello Life
——————————————————————-
The loss of Dustin Ferguson has received over 175 comments from MonticelloLive readers, more than any story that’s ever been posted.
——————————-
The story below posted on September 23, 2008
Tuesday 4 PM Update–Fatality Wreck Near Wendys & Wal-Mart-Monday
The driver of the Chevy Silverado, shown on the left, was reportedly traveling north on HWY 425 North, near Wendy’s and Wal-Mart around 2:45, Monday afternoon, when she pulled into the turning lane, and crossed into oncoming traffic in the inside southbound lane.
Dustin Ferguson, age 19, of Monticello, was traveling south in the Ford Ranger pick-up, shown on the right, when the Silverado struck him head on. According to witnesses, Mr. Ferguson died at the scene.Â
 After the original impact, the Ford struck a third vehicle, which sustained minor damage.Â
The driver of the Chevy, will be listed as being at fault, has been identified as Jennifer Bates, age 29, of Star City. She was ejected from the vehicle, as it continued northbound, She has since been transferred to Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff, where as of  6:30 Tuesday morning, she remained in critical condition. As of 4 PM, JRMC had made no notification of a change in her status.Â
The accident was investigated by Arkansas State Trooper Clayton Moss, with assistance on the scene from the Montocello Police Dept. and Drew County Sheriff’s Dept. The fire and rescue units also responded.
Testing will be done, as with all fatality accidents, to determine if there were any contributing factors to the events that took place.
Following the news of the accident, around 150 youth of our area gathered at Drew Memorial Hospital, and started a prayer vigil. Rev. Jimmy Albrecht and Rev. Ray Hearron, of Second Baptist Church, and Bro William West, youth pastor of Shady Grove Baptist, were also there to minister to those in need.
Choose another article
Newer article: For Sale – Treadmill
Older article: For sale – used headache rack for pickup
I started reading some of these replies, and I can’t keep from tearing up. I’m sorry for everyone’s loss…W will keep you all in my prayers
I read about Dustin’s death on the internet. We live in Arkansas and lost our 16 year old grandson last year in a car accident. I am so sorry for your loss. We do know your pain and grief. It is something I wouldn’t want anyone to go through. We never will understand why God has allowed someone so young and wonderful, with seemingly such a future here on earth, to be taken on to Heaven. We won’t know until we get there. God bless you and cradle you in His arms during this terrible times. I am praying for you all.
I never knew rooster but i have heard all thease great things about him i will continue to keep his family and freinds in my prayers
I didint know rooster all that well…but the sort time that i spent with him i was laughing the whole time. He didint know me He never meet me before but he treated me like a best friend. The first time I meet him he had a smile on his face and the last time I saw him he had a smile on his face. That is how I will remember him as a very kind and funny person. He will be missed.
To the family:
Death is never easy but you will get through this just know that your son was loved by many and will never be forgotton. Yall are in my prayers! God Bless
I have read through each one of these messages and I am not suprised but yet pleased that so many people have reached out to the family and friends of “Rooster”, especially for Megan. I am Megans’ step-mom and her daddy and I have had the absolute pleasure of getting the know the “TRUE ROOSTER”…there wasn’t a day that went by that he wasn’t at the house. He was definitly a fine young man but, let me enlightenen those of you who didn’t know ROOSTER very well of exactly what kind of man he was. He was the kind of young man that did whatever needed to be done and without it being mentioned or him asking about it. We would come home and the yard would be mowed…trash taken out. When my dad had surgery on his knee and couldn’t mow his yard…ROOSTER took his mower and used his gas and mowed for my daddy and wouldn’t take a dime for it!!! He talked to me everyday about how much he loved Megan and how he just didn’t feel like he had shown her how much…and I have told Megan…you don’t find young men like him very often anymore. ROOSTER gave Megan flowers everyday, whether it be ones he bought or ones he picked from a yard he had mowed that day. He asked me to go with him to pick Megans’ promise ring out and that was a special moment for the both of us. My husband became “POPS” and I became “LIL MOMMA” from the very beginning!!!
My heart goes out the Tina and family…your son touched many lives as you can see!!! We miss you dearly ROOSTER but will see you again soon. I pray that God fills each one of our hearts and gives us the strength and courage we need to live each day one day at a time through this loss!!!
to me this just doesnt even seem real like it just couldnt happen it just seems like a horrible nightmare that i just wish i could wake up from this is so horrible rooster was so nice to everyone and didnt deserve this he was always making me and marissa laugh evertime he was around us he never wanted to see anybody upset he was always trying to make things better and he was really good at that i dont anybody could be mad at him he was tha best friend anybody could have and we all love and miss him so much i cant image what the fergusons are going thru…….
Becca i just want to let you know that i am here for u anytime you need me or need somebody to talk to or just anything im here for you girl i love you and im praying for u!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i love u rooster!!!!!!i miss u!!!!!!!
Megan i cant imagine what your going thru everybody knew that you loved him alot and you could just tell by the way he acted around you that he loved you alot too….i just want to let you know that im praying for you!!!!!
wow! after reading all these comments about dustin my eyes teared up. I no that rooster well was known and well loved. Every one was touched in some way by his death. When i first moved to monticello rooster was my first friend. Rooster and I wrote notes back and forth all my 9th grade year. We shared something special. A friendship that i have not shared with any other person. When im down, i think about his goofy grin. Always ear to ear. and i laugh. i will always love rooster and miss him terribly
all my prayers go out to his family and his friends
love drew
rooster was my best friend he called me shuger dady for some reson he might have died but he just went home befor us he made me laugh but i now when it is our turn to go and we get to those gates we will see rooster and he will be naked and proboly dancing but he will be in our harts always
i know he is in my hart
i miss you rooster i always will till i see you agen
Dustin is a really great person, and I have never met someone who was always smiling. He had such a big heart, no matter what you were going through he would say that it is going to get better. When I heard about the accident, I thought about what he said. I pray for his family and all his friends. The whole town will be diffrent with out seening him all the time. You will be truley missed ROOSTER… RIP
may the lord wrap his arems around you to comfort you
To Rooster’s family..
You are in my prayers. I could not imagine what you are going through, but I hope you know that Rooster was an amazing person and right now he is in an amazing place. He loved everyone and always made people laugh. He will be missed tremendously, but we will be with him soon.
If there is anything I can do, I’m here for you. I pray the Lord will be with you everyday and comfort you through this.
Rooster, we will never forget you and you will always be in our hearts.
Love always, Tessa
I’m praying that the Bates and Ferguson families will have comfort and peace that passes all understanding. Please continue to pray for Jennifer.
He was such an amazing person and he made a huge impact in my life he made me strive to be a caring person and that i should show love to everyone no matter what im so sorry for his loss and i pray for his family in this diffcult time he meant alot to me may God bless your life as you have mine love in christ love Brit-nay Sloan
We are praying for the Ferguson family and Ferrell family here in Kenya, Africa. My heart aches when I consider your loss. May God give you grace and peace that only He can in this time of need.
From hia teacher, friend, and a minister
Everything that I have read about Dustin is so true. I was his Excel teacher. The frist day day when he came to my class he greeted me with a smile and stated” I am so glade Mr. Binns I am in excel with you”
Not once, but every day when he entered my class he spoke, gave a warm smile and a hug. When he left at the end of the class, he would say”Have a good day Mr. Binns “and he gave me another hug.
I taught his mother Tina, years ago, She too was so sweet and loving. When Dustin came along and his sister Rebecca, It was obvious that they had the personality of their mom.
On that Monday during a faculty meeting, I was called to the office by another student who felt that I should know what had happen to Dustin. As I spoke to the caller Brittany Flemister, I said ” calm down and lets pray for him”. When the faculty meeting is over I will be right there!
At the end of the faculty meeting a teacher stood and said Dustin Ferguson has just passed away! I felt myself getting disoriented and an increase in blood pressure. The instructor that announced his passing had receive a text message from some one.
I kept saying to myself, this is just a mistake, small town gossip!
As I left the building to go to my car, I was met by many students . They all said the same thing. “Did you hear about Dustin”?
My mind quickly went back in time to Chris Ivy, my buddy Thomas Bostick and others. I have been blessed to have taught 34 years in the Monticello School District.
My students respect me as a teacher, and they know that I am a friend also. NONE have crossed the line. Dustin like so many didn’t mine giving me a hug. as so many in he past have done.
Just a few more comments. What ever it is that my students see in me, like Dustin, I thank the Lord! They talk confidentially to me and dont have a problem saying I love you Mr. Binns. Thank you for being here for me.
I am fifty five years old and it seem like there is something wrong with this picture. Once more, I taught the mom, the son and the daughter.
If it were left to me, I would rather have the Lord take me, than to see my students leave this world so young.
I am one that would lay down his life for a friend!
I have been a pastor for 30 years, and have either sung at a funeral or gave the eulogy. In this case I did neither. This was a good thing as I struggled from day to day in the classroom, looking at my students, and wondering ” Lord? will I see them tomorrow!”? It is a hurt that I cannot explain.All I know is that it doesn’t get any easier when I hear of one of my students passing.
I pray for the strength of the family, but most of all I pray that young people will give and devote their lives to serving the Lord. Be ye well assured, this is only the beginning of the beginning.
Many prayers have been offered on the behalf of Rooster’s family and friends. I can only imagine the pain. May God be with you all and the peace that passes all understanding comfort your hearts. This is a huge bruise to the whole city and region, and many lives have been affected. My prayer is that many will realize what Rooster already knew, that Christ is the answer, and it’s time to awaken, and turn to Him.
Wow…Root was a very good friend of mine. He was always the happy go-lucky kind of guy. He made me smile even when I was down. My heart sank when Katie and I got the call saying that he had passed. It is very hard loosing a very close friend like that, especially when you are flying back to Iraq. It was very tough to leave home at a time like that. I felt that I needed to be there but I know that Root would be with me in spirit no matter where I was. His spirit will live on through everyone’s lives that he touched. Root, you are the best friend anyone could ask for. You are missed so very much and loved more than any other friend. We’ll all see you again some day. We love you Rooster!!!!
I’m @ Jefferson Memorial Reading the Article about this young man. MY father @ this time is dying of terminal cancer. My heart weeps,my eyes weep for the friends the loved ones of tis young man and the family of the others of this accident.What a tremendous loss. I will spend the night with my father until we can get him home. I can only imagine what a fantastic father this young man would have been. My father was one of the truly fantastic guys. Honest,loyal,faithful,hardworking,non-judging the list could go on forever just like Dustin. Im just so moved I had to write. Why so young?Our world needs more young people like this gentleman. As i sit here today I can honestly say I need more friends like him.Some people live to be positive examples-others live just to be examples. Thats my feeling. I will always live to be a positive example of my upbringing. Live on Dustin Ferguson. I encourage all of you who knew this young man to live on in his honor with respect and courage through Jesus Christ. He truly has your back through it all.
I never met Rooster but once and it was at another family members funeral. But I think he seemed really sincere and sweet and well behaved. He was respectful and was there for his mom and now we all need to be there for her and her family! I am their cousin and I just want to say to Tina, Diane and Denise and Shannon that I love you all and am praying for you still and I think it is very nice of you to be praying for the other person involved. It takes alot to forgive someone who has hurt you so so deeply, but God will bless you all for that! I am here if you need me just give us a call..
Candy
We miss and we will never foget u rooster
I do not know if anyone will be reading this again but I read it quite often. It is a comfort to me as I continue to miss you Dustin. I have no doubt where you are.You made your choice as to your eternal destiny before you left this world. Your belief in your heart and your confession with your mouth of Christ as your saviour is my assurance that I will again see you one day. God’s word tells me that this is true. We do not grieve as those who have no hope. Our hope is in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ for the forgiveness of all our transgressions. He is the one mediator between man and a sinless God. He is our hope of eternal life in heaven with the father.
I would like to thank everyone who has written so many nice things about Dustin. You will never know what a comfort you have been to his family. Everyone has been so kinds to us in every way. Your calls, visits, and prayers have held us up during this time.
From the moment you heard about the accident,you came to the hospital, our home, the funeral home and our church home. I know that many of you still visit the cemetery. Words will never be able to express to you our appreciation but please know that from our hearts we are so grateful.
For those friends of Dustin’s who have come to know Christ Jesus as your saviour since his death, you are in our prayers daily. We pray for your spiritual maturity as you study the Word and serve Christ throughout your life.
I pray that it is of some comfort to this family knowing that even though his years on earth was not long-he lived such a purposeful & meaningful life that he left a very important message to so many.I hope it is a blessing to know that he left a legacy to the young people whose lifes he touched.He will not be forgotten.
i don’t know if anybody is going to be reading this, but life is so precious. Don’t take it for granted.
Rooster was the happiest person in the world nothing could bring him down, and i bet you all the money in the world, when our hearts are hurting, he’s saying “you’ll see me one day, we’re gonna see each other again, and were gonna laugh, and not cry.”
I remember one day me and my ex boyfriend were fighting, i was crying my eyes out, when Rooster saw me. That was the first time we met. He came up to me and said,” now look here, no guy is worth crying over, because your to pretty to be crying.” and he sat down beside me and was telling me jokes and making me laugh. now i look back on that, and my heart sinks because now when i cry i think about him and the look he gave me when we saw each other….. i never could hurt so bad when i saw it happen before my eyes. it felt like i quit breathing. and nobody knows if ther’re next to be taken.
i still pray for his family and friends
kristin
we still love u and miss u brah keep ya head up while were tryin to keep ares up to R.I.P. “ROOSTER”
R.I.P Rooster
It’s getting extremely close to a year since Rooster’s passing. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about him at least once a day still. Everyone already knows what a great person he was, so I don’t need to say it… but he was amazing. He always knew what to say or do to make someone smile.
I miss him. And to his family: you’re still in my prayers. I know it’s tough during holidays… and it will be extremely tough in September… but you’re still in people’s thoughts.
God bless and stay strong.
rooster its been a year but it still hurts like it was yeasterday, theres not a day that goes by that i, charlie or cj dont think of you and miss you a little more. with love and support to your family, becky charlie and cj
Dustin is still very missed by many. He will always hold a special place in my heart. Tina, Ray and Becca, you are forever in pour prayers. As we both know this is not something that ever looses its presence in our lives. We just learn to live day by day, with some days been better than others. I am only a phone call away and I truely hope that if you ever need to talk , etc. you will not hestitate to call.
A year has passed. The times the memory does not.The love we felt for Dustin has nothing but grown,if that seems possible.We all know you are in the presence of the ALL MIGHTY GOD, in heaven with Christ Jesus Himself to soothe your wounds and ease your pain.He gives us the peace of surrendering you to Him to wait for us.We will ALL be there with you soon enough,and we will see your smile and feel your Hug once again.Until then,thank you Lord for giving Him your most precious gift,eternal life,with you in paradise.
I’d like to be the first to say that I notice quite a few people with Rooster stickers on their trucks driving the same way and in the same place as the person who caused the accident that killed him…If you really want to remember him, try driving like normal people.
RIP ROOSTER I love you and Miss you So much! But I Know that you are in a better place! You were a great friend and anyone could come and talk to you about anything. He was always a Joy to be around and Kept you laughing. I think about you all the time and Iknow that everyone else does two. The Ferguson family isinmy prayers and I Love You all!
Love,
Amber Barnett
I miss & love you dearly Rooster.I can’t believe its been a year. But i know everything is okay and that your looking down on everyone of us and still with us in our hearts.We’ll be seeing you again someday :)! & to your family their still in my thoughts and prayers
It really has been a year. I can still remeber the day my dad called me after he left the accident (he was one of the cops that were there working) He called and said “Honey, Rooster is gone” it didnt hit me at first what he ment. Then i was getting txt messages and everything. My heart broke right then. He was the greatest friend anybody could ask for. He never asked for much and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. There is an old saying “only the good die young” and now after loosing Rooster i strongly believe in that. My heart goes out to Megan. I know this is hard for her. Along with Becca and her family. He will always be missed and always be loved! We miss you!
?Destinee Marie?
It has been over a year and I find myself looking at the wonderul things that have been said about our son.I miss him so much.More than anything I wish I could hold him,look at his great smile or hear his laughter.Yes, I have faith that Dustin is with our Heavenly Father but I still miss him.This is the hardest thing I have ever been through!I want to wake up and this all be a terrible dream.From the sleepless nights,to the crying until it hurts to touch your face.Durng Christmas I found myself looking at things Dustin would like or hesitating when signing a christmas cards.My heart still stops every time I hear a siren.I have changed things in our home but no matter what I do I still miss him. I just want this to never happen to any other family.Its horrible!You never forget, you never stop hurting!My children were my life and now a part of it will never be the same.I know that I have to be his voice.
i didn’t know either of these people, but I wonder if there will be a lawsuit against Jennifer as well. She has already suffered medically and will have to live with the knowledge of this for the rest of her life. My heart goes out to HER and HER family as well as the Ferguson’s. No one ‘wins’ in this situation…
You can be charged with negligent homicide without drinking or being under the influence..
I have put the entire Negligent homicide statute in this comment. You can be charged with negligent for (a) and (b). Part (c) defines intoxication
Part (a) is under intoxication and part (b) is just causing the death of another negligently
5-10-105. Negligent homicide.
(a) (1) A person commits negligent homicide if he or she negligently causes the death of another person, not constituting murder or manslaughter, as a result of operating a vehicle, an aircraft, or a watercraft:
(A) While intoxicated;
(B) (i) If at that time there is an alcohol concentration of eight hundredths (0.08) or more in the person’s breath or blood based upon the definition of breath, blood, and urine concentration in § 5-65-204, as determined by a chemical test of the person’s blood, urine, breath, or other bodily substance.
(ii) The method of chemical analysis of the person’s blood, urine, or breath shall be made in accordance with §§ 5-65-204 and 5-65-206; or
(C) While passing a stopped school bus in violation of § 27-51-1004.
(2) A person who violates subdivision (a)(1) of this section is guilty of a Class B felony.
(b) (1) A person commits negligent homicide if he or she negligently causes the death of another person.
(2) A person who violates subdivision (b)(1) of this section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(c) As used in this section, “intoxicated” means influenced or affected by the ingestion of alcohol, a controlled substance, any intoxicant, or any combination of alcohol, a controlled substance, or an intoxicant to such a degree that the driver’s reactions, motor skills, and judgment are substantially altered and the driver therefore constitutes a clear and substantial danger of physical injury or death to himself or herself and other motorists or pedestrians.
SO has the prosecutor’s office charged her with being intoxicated?
According to the report,s he was way above the legal limit of alcohol, therefore causing a death. She is being charged with what is correct by law. As far as lawsuits, that is up to the Ferguson family, not the Prosecutor. Someone is dead, someone is hurt, and someone must pay. You can’t break the law and go unpunished.
YES Jennifer did wrong. She shouldnt have been drinking and driving. It is a horrible tragedy and I pray for Dustins family. ON THE OTHER HAND… Jennifer is already in prison… and will be for the rest of her life. There is no “out for good behavior” or “parole”. The only thing that could be done to her at this point is a monetary settlement, which would take years upon years to pay because she cant work. Dont you think both families have suffered enough???
Jennifer was wrong to drink & drive. She’s guilty & at fault.
But if you’ve seen her, as I did in the waiting area at a dr office, you’d see she’s already being punished. . Doing this court process is the way things work in the USA & I understand that but there’s no way she can be put in jail;
May God be with BOTH families! They didn’t deserve it.
Regardless of who you are or what the crime is, if you break the law, you should be punished!!! It is a sad situation for everyone involved but a young innocent life was taken away needlessly.
At lest she gets a life even though it is restricted she must be held accountable for her Choices. If you want to get DRUNK STAY AT HOME!!!!!!!!
hey i really miss him he was a friend like no other he was never stuck up to any one he also set a good rolemodle for every one he was one of my best of friends we will miss you Rooster
I know the law is the law, I know both families well, and with any crime there is legal punishment, to keep it from happening again, and makeing sure the one that commited the act will not do it again. Now having said that I can assure you Jinnifer is not a threat to society and never will be again, the person that caused the accident is long gone, the accident was the judge and jury for her. I understand people should answer for their crime, but unlike those that walk away with theier lives healthy and unscaved, get sentenced to prison for forty years and get out a week later and get drunk before they get out the prison parking lot and drive home, and are a threat to society, jennifer will never be able to do that. I dont condone drinking and driving I miss Rooster everytime I look out at our flatform where the last time I seen him he was practice shooting his bow, but having someone stand trail for a crime they dont even realize took place, and is already serving life with no parole, in a mind and body that will never heal enough to get out of the confinement of a nursing home, and will never ever be able to comitt the crime of drinking and driveing again, just seems frivalous, and not nessacary. A court cant do anything that the accident didnt already do.
What happened is tragic for both families in every way. I pray I never have to be a mother that has to endure such sorrow and pain as Tina did and in a selfish way am glad that Aunt Wandie was not here to go threw it. I have been a sister that at 15 lost a Sister and Brother-In-Law and almost a nephew due to a drunk driver that was celebrating a divorce and that people knew she was to drunk to drive and still let her. I have been the one to come home at 15 and stay with the father that adored his daughter watched him turn his room into a shrine of her pictures and objects, drove him around and tried to offer comfort knowing that a big part of his life was taken in the split second. Tammy and Larry were just trying to make a living running a paper route with their child in tow. For many many years I found satisfaction in the fact that the other person also lost her life. But as time went on and I grew up I felt bad for having that thought she had parents, siblings and children that also were victims that would never feel the love of their mother again. I would say that in time I was able to forgive and come to peace with it. Yes Jennifer is still here in body she will never be right, never know the loving feeling you feel with your own children. Nothing any one says or does will change what has happen to either family or how they feel. Only time and the Lord above. Hopefully people will learn something, change something or live a better life when they think of this tragic situation. And I pray for all the families.
Although it is sad for both parties, she BROKE THE LAW and should be punished. She took a life so it is okay to say, “well she has been punished enough.” What kind of message does that send to all other people who knowingly drink and drive. Rooster did not deserve his punishment so why should society pat her on the back and say it’s okay. I hate that she is in the condition that she is in, however, she MADE THAT CHOICE, not Rooster. There are many friends and family members of Dustin Ferguson who want justice.
What good will that “justice” do? I do not understand your reasoning. In 2005, a special young man was killed in a car wreck by a drunk driver. A good friend of our family was left disabled. Nothing that could happen to the kid responsible for that would undo it, regardless of how much some people wanted it.
Drinking and driving is a terrible choice to make and I have zero tolerance for it. Once upon a time I thought Jennifer most definitely should be criminally punished for making such a stupid decision that took the life of an innocent young man. However, like someone said in an earlier comment: that Jennifer is gone. In a sense, she died in that wreck as well. If you knew the Jennifer that was left, you would understand why so many people are incensed over this new development.
Both of these families have suffered greatly and will continue to feel the loss caused by this accident. This entire situation, though fuel for the small-town gossip mills, is just reopening wounds that had possibly started to heal.
My prayers are with BOTH families at this difficult time.
jennifer bates killed my best friend and its not fair that he is no longer with us anymore. i know it happens everyday around the united states, but this time it happened in monticello arkansas. there were a lot of people that loved rooster and miss him dearly.