The sudden and tragic lose of Julian, Rose, Alyssa, and our daughter Kate is both senseless and incomprehensible.

We are overwhelmed with the compassion and love that the community has so willingly given to our family during this most difficult time for all, and we simply want to express our gratitude and deepest appreciation for its support to us and to the families who share our grief.

Our dreams are now memories.




Thank you to all who were involved in the search for my husband, state police helicopter pilot Andy Tingwall, and to those who have whispered prayers on our behalf. The compassion is overwhelming and we are so grateful that words fall short. Even in the midst of this tragedy, I have been amazed at the honor shown toward Andy.

It is wonderful to see that he was cherished by others as much as by my daughters and me.

Lexy, Jenna and I are getting through this one day at a time through prayer and the kindness of others.

Andy would want us to cherish what we have and renew our belief in humanity, by helping one another and taking the time to hug someone in need.

After all, we never know if it will be the last hug we ever receive.


Understandably, in the wake of the tragic deaths of four teens on June 28, many have written expressing concern, even outrage, over New Mexico's inadequate DWI laws and/or enforcement of the present laws. But where is the outcry over the recent murder of one teen, son of immigrant parents from south of the border?

Where are the compassionate letters calling for the government and people of the city of Santa Fe to act in cooperation with and on behalf of at-risk youth, children of the many immigrants from Latin America? What can be done to stop the cycles of poverty, alienation, and violence? Is there, or might there convene, a citizen's group made of teens, parents, employers, educators, city officials of various ethnic and class backgrounds to address this grave issue? I am interested in such a convening. Others?



I am not implying that the teenage victims of last week's car accident deserved their fates. However, they did put themselves in a situation that made this outcome more likely. I was taught to be smart, hope to be lucky, and never tempt fate. Being out driving that time of night, any of us are more likely to be on the roads with people who have been drinking or are otherwise impaired, tired, etc. Just like the victims themselves who were out seeking a party, the teens and the adult were birds of a feather, out driving and partying. Dangerous time bomb.

Drunken driving is wrong. Young kids out that late partying is wrong. Inexperienced drivers, driving beyond their skill level are wrong. Poorly engineered roads are wrong. This was the perfect storm of wrong. This was a lot of people tempting fate, and losing.



Regarding Jay Lander's July 5 letter, "Many factors converged in fatal crash":

Mr. Lander might explain: With a car coming straight at you in the wrong lane, which lane would be the right lane to be in?

How did violation of any restriction by our teenagers result in Scott Owens driving drunk on the wrong side of the road?

Lander suggests leniency for Owens with his "no malicious intent'' concept.

Will that restore the lives of the teens to whom he attaches some blame, who also had "no malicious intent''?

Is there a deterrent effect if we send irresponsible drunks who have killed people to "teach others"?

How does that work: by their fine example that if one drives drunk, the consequence is having to "teach"?

Or apologize?

Are these "the risks of drunken driving" he mentioned?

Drunken driving should be punished, not so that punishment is meted out, but so that drunken drivers might not kill our children — regardless of the muddled ''intent'' of an inebriated mind.