Recovering alcoholic heading to AA hit and killed by drunk driver
SOMERSWORTH, N.H. (MyFoxBoston.com) - A recovering alcoholic was hit and killed on the way to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting by an allegedly drunk driver in New Hampshire on Monday.
Reed Hindle, 61, of Fremont, was riding his motorcycle down Green Street in Somersworth late Monday afternoon, when the driver of a truck exiting Stackpole Road collided with him, police said. Hindle, who suffered brain damage and multiple broken bones, was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Police arrested David Berry, 57, at the scene for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Police say he also admitted to drinking a beer at the time of the crash. Berry was arraigned on Tuesday on a charge of negligent homicide.
"To be killed by a drunk driver when he was clean and sober, it's very ironic," said Hindle's daughter, Nicole Kearbey, who had only known her father for the past four years. "He was just trying to find his life, and he finally figured out that he had to stop drinking. It was ruining his life. It was ruining his health."
Hindle had been sober for eight months, often going to AA meetings daily and helping other recovering alcoholics with their recoveries, his sister, Meredith Patrick said. Knowing that he was finally healthy and happy gives her some peace.
Patrick plans to meet her brother's AA friends not only to encourage them with their recoveries but to thank them for their support and share stories about Hindle.
"I know he wanted to help people," Patrick said. "So, at this point, it's almost like I feel like I almost have a cause."
Meanwhile, Patrick and her niece have a message for anyone considering getting behind the wheel drunk or high.
"Get a grip," Patrick said. "Get a grip on your life."
"Since he decided to drink and drive and was under the influence, I no longer have a father that just came into my life." Kearbey said.
"And I no longer have a brother," Patrick added.
Berry was arraigned on Tuesday and held on $10,000 bond. He will appear in court for a probably cause hearing on Sept. 4.
