MonticelloLive

This week’s One Monticello Life breaks from the traditional “interview” format that is usually used, because something happened in Monticello Friday that may change, and save, many lives.

At the end of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Mock DWI Accident Re-enactment, Steve Brantley came forward to tell the approximately 900 students present why he became involved with MADD.

This week’s edition is based on the comments that Steve shared with them.

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On June 21, 1996, Patricia Brantley, Steve’s wife and the mother of four children, had a doctor’s appointment in Pine Bluff.   Actually, the whole family had planned to go with her that day.

On that same day, a Monticello man had gone to work in Pine Bluff, but left early from work , and went to a pizza restaurant.  He ate pizza and drank beer.  He went back to his workplace later that afternoon, picked up his paycheck, and cashed it at a Pine Bluff bank.

After this, the man went into a liquor establishment in Pine Bluff until the evening hours, before attempting to return to Monticello.  He made a wrong turn at Star City, and ended up driving on HWY 11 to Pansy, instead of south toward Monticello.

It was at the intersection of HWY 63 and 11 where he met Patricia Brantley.  He was driving a full-size Dodge Ram pick-up, Patricia was driving a Dodge mini-van.

The man ran through the stop sign there, at high speed, and drove his truck completely through the mini-van that Patricia was driving, killing her instantly.

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Steve and Patricia Brantley had plans of moving into their “dream home”, and had actually just begun the process of it’s construction. 

Patricia never had the chance to see her “dream home”.  She never had the opportunity to see her four children grow up, because of a drunk driver, and his bad decisions.

Steve now had the responsibility of raising four children, and the desire to help prevent other people from having to experience the loss that he and his family had been forced to endure.

Steve became involved in Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and is now the Drew County Coordinator of the group.  He also is a leading supporter of their chapters in Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Desha, and Lincoln Counties.

Monticello High School Principal, Kenny Pennington describes Steve as having “a passion to educate students, and others, about the hazards of drunk driving.”  He added that Steve is “the backbone behind a program that teaches students about how a single bad decision can change the rest of your life, and possibly other people’s lives, as well.”  Pennington continued, “the event is designed to take place around the time of the prom, but really the need that this program addresses is around everyday, all year long.”

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Steve also told the group that there was a video being made of Friday’s activities, that is being funded with contributions by all 5 of Monticello’s banks; Union Bank, Commercial Bank, Parkway Bank, Simmons Bank and Arkansas Superior.  The video is being produced by Jerry James of James Quick Print.

The Arkansas Alcohol Beverage Control Board has asked for, and received permission to copy the video, and plans to distribute it to every school district in the state.

Copies of the video will be available upon it’s completion at James Quick Print, and will be announced here on MonticelloLive.com.

The video project is being produced in memory of Patricia Massey Brantley, and in honor of Sgt. Larry Smith, of the Monticello Police Dept.

The cost of the video will be $20, with $5 of each sale being contributed to the fund to assist with Larry’s medical expenses.

There were dozens of people involved in making Friday a ”life-changing experience”, but MonticelloLive wants to recognize two of them.

The drunk driver was played by Matt Brantley, who’s mother, Patricia’s story was described earlier.

Also, the role of the girl who was killed in the wreck was played by Leigha Farley, who’s father was also killed by a drunk driver.

Thanks to them, and everyone who made this event possible, and thanks to Steve Brantley, for what he does to convince students to make wise decisions, and save lives, and for sharing your One Monticello Life. 

Click here to see MonticelloLive’s camera #1 photos from Friday.

Click here to see MonticelloLive’s camera #2 photos of Friday’s event.

Click here to read other editions of One Monticello Life.