Drunk Driving Vol. Please don't do it.

 
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - A Bakersfield man involved in a deadly weekend DUI crash speaks out from behind bars as he recounts the incident that left two women dead.  The fatal crash also left a third woman seriously injured.

Monday evening, family and friends gathered to remember the victims and show support for the young woman who survived the crash.

More than one hundred people came to pay tribute, leaving flowers, pictures and messages.

From the Kern County Jail, Dontrell Collins says the weekend wreck he is accused of causing is now all a blur.

“Something told me to put the pedal to the metal.  I don’t remember nothing from that night,” he said.

The crash happened on the intersection of Rosedale Highway and Verdugo Lane.   Investigators say Collins who was determined at the scene to be driving under the influence of alcohol slammed into a vehicle carrying three women.

“When all this stuff happened, I wasn’t in my right state of mind.  Something controlled me to go.  Whatever I did, I didn’t even know that I did it,” said Collins.

Collins admits to 23ABC he was drinking, but only had two beers.  He didn’t know the women involved or how fast he was going.

“She was probably the sweetest person I ever met in my life,” said a family member.

Family and friends gathered at the intersection where Pavinder Claire and Jackie Kvasnicka died.  Loved ones say the women worked at Kern Schools Federal Credit Union and were coming home from a Blaze game when they were hit from behind.

“This is devastating.  Words can’t describe,” the family member said.

A good Samaritan helped pull 20-year-old Jessica Magee from the wreckage.  She sustained serious burns and was transported to a local hospital.  Family members say she went into surgery Monday morning and continues to recover tonight.

“You don’t drink and drive. You know, you changed a lot of family’s lives. You changed our lives even though my niece is still here. You changed two of the family’s lives and actually a whole bunch of other lives because they had friends, cousins, acquaintances.  He changed a lot of people’s lives so, whatever he gets, he deserves. I hope it’s the max,” said Fred Jones, uncle of the victim.

A memorial fund is being set up by co-workers and will be released at a later time.

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 BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) - As loved ones grieve for victims killed and injured in a suspected drunk-driving crash, they also want to stop the act from taking more lives.

As it happens, the local chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving holds a special event in a few weeks aimed at strengthening their efforts to get the message out: don't drink and get behind the wheel.

Dontrell Collins, 29, is suspected of being under the influence when he hit a car early Saturday morning on Rosedale Highway at Verdugo Lane. He's expected in court Wednesday.

Monday night, victims' loved ones held a vigil at the crash scene. They were mourning the deaths of two young women and severe injuries to a third.

"You know, it's hard at these times, but it's good when we can get people to come together, and awareness like this for drunk driving," Fred Jones said.

His niece, Jessica McGee, was burned in the crash. Jones said Tuesday that McGee was doing a little better.

Jaclyn Ann Kvasnicka was killed in the crash, and her mother was at the vigil.

"She was a selfless person," Mary Jo Kvasnicka said. "She'd do anything for anybody."

Pavinder Claire also died when the car was rear-ended, and her family was grateful for the outpouring of support at the vigil. They also have a message to drivers.

"You shouldn't drink and drive," father Pavitar Claire said tearfully. "You cause pain not to just one family, but the whole community."

Collins faces charges in this incident including drunken driving, felony gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and reckless driving. 

For years, MADD has tried to reach drivers with their message, and they hope for more help. The group plans the first-ever "Walk/Run Like MADD" on Sept. 20. 

"I'm one person, and we need help here," victim advocate Carla Pearson told Eyewitness News. She helps victims' families go through the court process, she also gets education programs into places like schools. 

Pearson hopes the special event will do two things: bring more people into the group to help her, and raise funds for victims and their families.

"It is a big deal, and it's taking people's lives," Pearson said. 

They hope to change behaviors, and get the message through to drivers.

"It's not acceptable," Pearson said. "It's not a good choice, it shouldn't be done. It's 100 percent preventable. But for some reason, they don't seem to get it." 

Organizers say the 5K walk will be held at The Park at River Walk. Participants can register to walk as an individual or a team, or sign up to raise money as a virtual walker. Donations can also be made to Walk Like MADD. To get more information, call (661) 334-4948.

Pre-walk remarks will start at 6:30 a.m., and the walks will start at 7.

"We're asking the community to get involved," Pearson said.

The three women from Saturday's suspected DUI crash worked for Kern Schools Federal Credit Union, and Senior Vice President Michael George said the organization is very shaken by the deaths and injury.

"Over the Labor Day weekend, Kern Schools Federal Credit Union experienced a tragedy involving some of our team members," George said in a statement to Eyewitness News. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of those involved in the incident. Words cannot express the sorrow we feel for all those impacted by this recent event."

Claire's parents say she was also going to Bakersfield College, with plans to be in the nursing program in January. And McGee's family said she was a student at California State University, Bakersfield.

Her uncle hopes to reach anyone who might decide to get behind the wheel when they're intoxicated.

"To get the message across to these young people," Fred Jones said, "that it's not right."

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sharkin said:

 
Ugh just watched the video.

Makes me so mad.

"I don't remember nothin from that night" "I wasn't in my right state of mind" "Something controlled me" "I didn't know what I was doin"

Just once I wanna see one of these pieces of **** die and leave the innocent unscathed.

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richiecotite said:

not to thread hi jack, but would ya'll feel the same way if dude was texting and driving? I feel like texting and driving is much more dangerous than drinking and driving

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richiecotite said:

not to thread hi jack, but would ya'll feel the same way if dude was texting and driving? I feel like texting and driving is much more dangerous than drinking and driving

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derrty6232 said:

The dude walked away from the crash unscathed? That's just not fair.

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richiecotite said:

not to thread hi jack, but would ya'll feel the same way if dude was texting and driving? I feel like texting and driving is much more dangerous than drinking and driving

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k3stacks said:

Bro,I feel you. I went to high school with Pavinder and Jessica ( the one who survived) Didnt know Pavinder like that but she always was smling nd happy. THey also worked at the Kern chools across from my job. My heart has been heavy

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Kal-El-8 said:

What year did you graduate?

I didn't know her well either, but my girl was best friends with her. She's been real real sad.

I been at work for last two days, heavy heart as well. this **** sucks

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