Crash Survivor Believes Elderly Drivers Should Be Tested To Keep License

Christi Dorsey and her husband, David, were on their way home to Oklahoma, when an elderly driver slammed into them, killing David and putting Christi in the hospital for months. Now, Christi hopes to change the law to require elderly drivers to pass a test in order to keep their license.

Dorsey says she's not trying to take away anyone's independence by taking away their keys. She believes a new law would not only protect other drivers on the road but, also, the elderly people themselves.

"I had a broken bone in my neck, nine broken ribs, I broke my back in two places, broke my pelvis in four places, broke my ankle in two places, dislocated both knees and broke both big bones in my leg," said Dorsey

Christi is a walking miracle, but her husband, David, wasn't as lucky. They were on their Goldwing trike in August of 2016, when a woman in her mid-80's crossed the center line and hit them head-on. David died instantly. Christi was in ICU, 11 days. 

"My brother came into the room and said, you've been in a real bad accident. you're at OU medical center. My second question was, did David make it and he said no," said Dorsey.

They got married nearly 30 years ago and loved fishing in tournaments together, building houses and building a life but Christi had to watch David's funeral on a video.

Then, she learned, the elderly driver had been falling asleep in public, not taking her meds and getting lost, but still driving.

"This was senseless, this was preventable," said Dorsey.

She wants a law that would require those who are 70 and over, to pass a driving and eye test in order to keep their license.

"I want to protect the elderly, not remove their privileges and it's a privilege to drive. I want people to protect each other from these things happening. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy," said Dorsey.

Dorsey says like a bartender can be held accountable if they know a person is driving impaired, she thinks family and friends should be held accountable if they know someone is driving impaired, whether that means on they are on medication or suffering from dementia.