Justice Served In Drunk Driving Case

By Jeffrey Smith, News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The family of a Tulsa man killed by a drunk driver is speaking out. After a year of delays they say they've finally found justice.

Richard Brown was killed in March 2007 by a drunk driver who ran a red light. A jury Friday sentenced Gregory Bushyhead to 23 years in prison.

Now, Brown's family is speaking out about the case and is hoping to find closure by inspiring others.

The family of Richard Brown says they've found justice, now they want closure.

"I think the shock of walking out of that courtroom on Friday at five o'clock. It's wow, what just happened?" said Richard's sister, Louan Torres.

Eighteen months ago, Gregory Bushyhead ran a red light at the intersection of Lewis and Skelly. Prosecutors say his blood-alcohol content was three-times the legal limit. Brown himself had a few drinks that night and asked a friend to drive him home.

His sister says he was doing the responsible thing, when his life was taken away.

"That's where it really hurts, because of all those times Richard was the one taking keys away from people who had too much to drink," said Richard.

Brown's niece says her family has been ripped apart.

"He was like my second dad when my dad passed away. And we'd go on trips together in the summer. Just, hearing from him," said Richard's niece, Cathy Joe Torres.

"He never changed. He was always joking, pulling tricks, fun to be with," said Richard's mom, Joan Brown.

Torres says Richard's death is making a difference

"It's just one of those things where people are now saying, oh, I thought about Richard and what happened to him, and I decided to call a friend," said Torres.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that in 2007 in Oklahoma, 754 people were killed in alcohol-impaired wrecks. That's one death every 12 hours.

But Brown's family is speaking out, hoping to get others to think before they drink.

Gregory Bushyhead was convicted of first-degree manslaughter and fleeing the scene.

On a national scale, drunk drivers are behind 40% of all traffic fatalities.

Brown's family says it's not just about statistics.

They're hoping it's a story that can make a difference on the roads.