OK Family Spreads Message After Losing Son To Drunk Driving

A Green Country family is trying to turn tragedy into triumph.

One year after losing their son to drunk-driving, they now share his story to keep others from repeating his mistake.

Brandon Abel was 21 when he crashed in Delaware County last August. His family now travels around the state, sharing their story.

A typical night for the Abel family is speaking to those who've been caught driving under the influence; sometimes driving across the state to share their message.

“We do not care how far we have to drive to go, we will go,” Ida Abel said.

Their son Brandon was only 21 when he got drunk and got behind the wheel. He wasn't wearing a seat belt when he crashed and was ejected from the car.

His blood alcohol level was .16.

Brandon died from his injuries.

His family has spent the past year channeling their grief into wisdom with the Victims Impact Panel of Oklahoma.

Alan Abel said, “We're trying to educate as many people as we can, hopefully so we can keep other families from going through the loss and the pain and the tragedy we went through.”

The Abels say it does not get any easier, but other lives don't have to end the way Brandon's did.

“We lost something very precious to us. And if we can save one family this pain, then it's worth it,” Ida said.

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