Why Samantha Ranger was standing in the middle of the road Saturday night

Samantha Ranger wants people to know the dangers of drinking and driving, so she decided to spend Saturday night telling them face to face.

Ranger and her mother Louise participated in the official launch of the Festive Ride Campaign, which took place on Trout Lake Road near Anita Avenue.

They were both handing out red ribbons from the Nipissing chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, joining local dignitaries including deputy mayor Peter Chirico, Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota and Nipissing MPP Monique Smith.

“It’s important to me to make people aware of what drinking and driving can do,” Samantha Ranger said.

And she speaks from sad, painful experience.

Samantha’s sister Pamela died July 17, 2000, when a pick-up truck she was in struck a hydro pole in Bonfield and flipped. Pamela was ejected from the vehicle, and succumbed from the injuries she sustained.

The driver, Raymond Boulanger, was impaired at the time of the accident. He was sentenced to two years less a day in an Ontario prison, counselling and had his license suspended for 10 years.

“We’re here tonight to deliver the message that there other means of transportation available for someone who’s impaired so they get home safe and not end up hurting anyone,” Louise Ranger said.

“That’s the main thing. You can have fun but don’t drink and drive.”