5K run held for student killed in alcohol-related crash

Raleigh, N.C. — Runners took part in a race Saturday in honor of a Wakefield High School student who died in an alcohol-related crash.

Sadiki Young, 18, was killed on Jan. 13, 2007, when the Ford Escort he was riding in crashed on Wakefield Plantation Drive near Village Spring Road.

Driver Christopher John Palmeri, 18, pleaded guilty in August to involuntary manslaughter and drunken-driving. He was sentenced to 16 to 20 months in prison, with all but five months suspended.

Investigators said Palmeri had a blood-alcohol level of 0.06 percent but that speed was the primary factor in the crash. Palmeri had been driving at 72 mph at the time of the accident, they determined.

Organizers of the 5K run said they wanted to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving.

Young's mother said she was moved by the 700 people who participate in the downtown Raleigh event.

“I realize how much he touched people and you know you could live a long lifetime and not do what he did in 18 years,” Rosemarie Newman said.

Race proceeds will go to a local church youth fund and Wakefield High School's "Think First" program.

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I think this was a nice gesture, but it surely did cause a lot of traffic problems for people not aware of what was going on! I was trying to go to the Museum of History to see the Lost Colony exhibition and was detoured around so much that it took me an HOUR to finally reach the visitor parking lot up from the museum. The frustration was enough to make someone drink! Ha! Ha! (a little sarcastic joking there...) But, I ate 4 hot Krispy Kremes instead! Aiiiiiii!!!!!

hedgy_one
January 14, 2008 12:18 p.m.

How much more money needs to be dumped into "education" of teens not to drink and drive? I'm sorry but I have little patience for kids doing stupid stuff that they know will get them killed. If they want to kill themselves off then so be it but don't take me with you.

JuanGrande v3.0
January 13, 2008 3:21 p.m.

"Race proceeds will go to a local church youth fund . . ." When I was in my church's youth group, we used our youth fund to buy beer. But we drank responsibly, in the church basement, and used a designated driver.

childfreeinrdu
January 13, 2008 2:39 p.m.

Let us not forget that Young wasn't an innocent driver going down the road minding his own buisness and was killed by a drunk driver. He made an informed choice to get in a car with somebody that he knew was underage and had been drinking.

Seven words and he would still be alive. "No thanks, I'll ride with somebody sober."

anonemoose
January 13, 2008 2:39 p.m.

Seems to me that the kids themselves did an excellent job of "raising awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving" when they got themselves killed. I don't quite see the point of having a "fun run" to commemorate irresponsible teen behavior. Oh, and of course my thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the runners, or the victims, or whatever. God Bless!

childfreeinrdu
January 13, 2008 2:37 p.m.