The parents of Michael Collins bring an important message on New Year’s Eve

Posted on December 31, 2014

Michael Collins played baseball at Heartland Community College. (Heartland)

By Terry James

BLOOMINGTON – March 29th is a day that forever changed the lives Of Jim and Kelly Collins.  The couple lost their son Michael a few days after that date when a drunk driver took his life. 

The drunk driving accident at the intersection of Main and Empire streets in Bloomington led to the death of 22-year-old Michael Collins.  Mother Kelly Collins joined her husband Jim in the studio with Dan Swaney to remember her son and remind people not to drink and drive. 

37-year-old Jamie Webb was the drunk driver in the accident, which also injured three others.  She pleaded guilty to aggravated DUI charges and was sentenced to 14 years in prison.

"14 years in prison, which is what the person got who murdered Michael, in my mind as a repeat offender is not enough,"  said Kelly Collins. "We've worked with McLean County State's Attorney Jason Chambers and we'd love to see this have a tougher penalty of 30 years in prison."

Jim and Kelly Collins ask that you find a sober ride to and from the bar, saying decision making ability changes after the first drink.

Terry James can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…