Victims of drunk drivers remembered

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- Just before Christmas of 1995, when Kevin McInroy lost

his sister, Lori, in an alcohol-related traffic accident, he wanted more

than anything to have a place to grieve with other survivors.

After mentioning this to the media, he was inundated with letters of

support from across the nation.

And now, five years later, through the efforts of McInroy and his family,

a memorial wall will be dedicated at 1 p.m. Saturday at Pacific View

Memorial Park.

“It makes you realize other people go through what you go through,” said

McInroy’s father, Ronald McInroy, adding that 15,000 people are killed by

drunk drivers every year.

The 40-foot-tall, 20-foot-long black granite wall, which was erected

earlier this year, contains numerous 4-by-8-inch tablets. Each tablet has

space for the victim’s name, dates of birth and death, a color photograph

or medallion, and a personal message.

“It looks pretty impressive,” said Councilman Gary Adams, who will be on

hand for the dedication ceremony Saturday. “It’s a worthwhile memorial.”

Since it was built, letters have poured in from survivors around the

country who want to put their loved one’s name and photograph on the

wall. The wall will be expanded as the names of victims are added.

The McInroys hope that in addition to providing a communal place to

grieve, perhaps judges will send convicted drunk drivers to the wall so

they may see that the victims were real people.

“We go there once a week,” said Ronald McInroy. “Everyone there has a

story and their life was cut short.”

FYI

* WHAT: Dedication of memorial wall honoring victims of alcohol-related

traffic accidents at Pacific View Memorial Park

* WHEN: 1 p.m. Saturday

* WHERE: Pacific View Memorial Park, 3500 Pacific View Drive, Newport

Beach

* HOW: For those interested in placing a name and photo on the wall, call

Ronald McInroy at (714) 970-2829.