The following story is submitted by Kyle Morgan in support of our mission on sharing personal stories to help stop drinking and driving acccidents.

My name is Kyle Morgan and I’m the victim of a drunk driver. Unfortunately I was that drunk driver. In March of 2010 I was out celebrating my acceptance into the U.S. Army National Guard. I knew how important that decision was and how far it could take me in life so I made every preparation necessary Not to drink and drive. I left my personal vehicle at home and got a ride to meet up with my designated driver. From that point I thought there was no way I could get into trouble so I began drinking heavily.

“I mean, it was my last outing for 11 weeks so I didn’t hold back or even limit myself.” By the end of the night, around 2:30am I was talking to my designated and driver and a party accomplice about prior years and the party accomplice said I had to leave. I asked my designated driver for a ride home. He said he couldn’t because he had been drinking. “Now that didn’t stop him from driving earlier in the night.” I said designated driver but in reality he was drinking with us, he was willing to take the risk and drive. After he said he couldn’t the party accomplice pointed at a vehicle and said “Take that one, the keys are in it.”

My DD said, ” yeah take that car, the keys are it.” My DD was a long time friend whom I referred to as my brother.

I failed to mention that I was standing there with only one shoe on. So there I was highly intoxicated, barely able to stand, with one shoe on and they thought it was a good idea to tell me to drive. Without hesitation I jumped in and took off, after that everything became a blur. I wish I could remember what happened after that but the only memory I have is what I watched on the Sheriffs deputies dash cam video.

After I left the party a deputy radared me speeding and began to pursue me. When he turned on his lights I must have panicked and tried to flee. I approached a corner traveling to fast where I lost control of the car I was in and got ejected out of the drivers side window and when I landed over 100 ft away I broke my neck at a c5c6 level which left me paralyzed from the shoulders down.

The only thing I remember is leaving the party and then waking up 5 days later in a hospital not knowing how I got there. It was the scariest thing I’ve ever encountered and pre injury I was an adrenaline junkie. I was always at the track every weekend pushing my dirt bike as hard as I could or in the gym training Mixed Martial Arts or Kick boxing.

My previous lifestyle had me in and out of hospitals my whole life so the routine was normal for me. You go in, get patched up, go home and heal. But the reality of my injuries became serious when I had 3 months of therapy and regained little to nothing.

Upon returning home I had to deal with a lot of emotions. I threw my life away just to have one night of “Fun”. I ruined my girlfriend’s life by wrecking mine.

After I knew the seriousness of my actions and just how far the consequences were, I reached out to the Sheriffs dept. and told them how sorry I was and I wanted to help change the lives and thoughts of the youth.

A few short months later they gave me that opportunity and allowed me to begin speaking to schools. It was very impacting as the students could relate and begin to look at their lives and the consequences they’ll have to face one day.
Since I’ve began speaking I’ve made a huge impact and don’t want to stop. I see myself being national and I believe 1 person can make a difference.

To learn more about Kyle’s story, please take a moment to watch these videos and visit his sites:

His personal Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kylem2007
His upcoming documentary:https://www.facebook.com/KyleMorganStory