Posted by omie on August 26, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This probably was an accident, glad at least the person who hit her was honest and stopped.

Posted by MissGreen on August 26, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Very sad. My condolences to the family and friends.

Posted by virtualpaulh on August 26, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I just saw this. I thougt there must have been a head on collision due to the damage on the front of the car. Sorry for the family. But this type of thing was bound to happen, as we all drive way too fast down Lindero and there are no cross walks at that particular intersection. I've seen many pedestrians attempt to cross there, really taking their lives in their hands. Perhaps this will cause them to put a signal there becaues I can't imagine trying to make a left from Bowfield onto Lindero going either north or south.

Posted by vcsexplorer11 on August 26, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

There are to many distracted drivers these days. I would never assume any traffic is going to stop if you are using a crosswalk.

As a matter a fact I have seen people honk and yell at people in a crosswalk because the driver wrongly assumes they have the right-o-way.

Posted by Cat on August 26, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Agree....I go way out of my way to only cross the streets at signals. I just don't trust drivers AT ALL and make sure I see all of their eyeballs before I step into the street. So sad.....

Posted by BeaHappi on August 26, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, very sad. I feel bad for the driver too...I don't know that I'd ever get over hitting someone and killing them.

Posted by smithjc on August 26, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

omie, the guy was "allegedly" driving under the influence. this type of occurrence is an eventuality, not an accident. while i'm sure he didn't intend to kill anyone, it's a foreseeable consequence of impaired driving.

Posted by MissGreen on August 26, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Under the influence of alcohol that early in the morning, or still drunk from the night before??!!!! Dumb!! I don't feel sorry for the driver at all!! My condolences to the family and friends of the jogger. So sad!

Posted by Angelmama on August 26, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

a drunk driver (family member, even) killed my son as well as himself and another passenger...I have absolutely NO COMPASSION for people that DUI....NONE

Posted by BeaHappi on August 26, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ugh...I didn't read the article all the way through...under the influence?

Not good, not good at all.

And at 6:25 in the morning? Was he just coming home?

Well, it does say something for him that he stopped, knowing that he'd be arrested. That's better than so many other DUI drivers do.

Posted by wdwinder1 on August 26, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

very sad. Sounds like it wouldn't have made a difference in this case as the guy went waaay off the road. But joggers, get out of the bike lanes and always face the traffic. If he didn't know he hit someone, you can bet he wasn't looking up. Texting maybe? Too bad they didn't outlaw that.

Posted by opns on August 26, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Omie –honest and stopped huh? Hmmm. I say drunk and stupid, more like the accident caused some senses to kick in and waited. What a foolish puke.
Angelmama –my condolences to you. I AGREE!
Bea – read read read, hehe
This is so sad, my condolences to the family

http://805vigilantes.blogspot.com/200...
Cheaper and wiser to call your DAD or someone else, rather than killing innocent people and getting charged.

Posted by daugtherofimmigrant on August 26, 2008 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

smithjc and opns- Give Omie a break he/she made the comment when the story first came out it said a driver hit a a pedestrian and died at the scene, driver pulled over and nothing more.
If you notice Beahappi also noted that she felt bad for the driver, thats because she didn't know it was a drunk one.
The story was just updated and now saying it was a drunk driver, and it looks like the driver didn't pull over by choice but because he hit everything else that got in his way.

Posted by smurfe on August 26, 2008 at 12:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As someone who walks the same route as the jogger I have exchanged greetings with her for many years, so I am very saddened to hear of her death. I in fact was walking on the same road just after the accident and was not aware who, if anyone had been hit. The car looked like it had hit a tree or something, not a person. As for the driver, under the influence at 6:15 AM!!! it is hard to comprehend. There is a much safer dirt path that runs parallel to the bike path, but few people use it as the path is usually sodden by early morning watering. The alternative is the sidewalk on the other side of the street which I often use but that requires crossing back over the road at Bowfield never a safe prospect at any time.
My sincerest condolances to her family, she will be missed by all joggers and walkers in the area.

Posted by LivinInPoorMansPV on August 26, 2008 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The way i see it HE DIDNT STOP intentionally, he crashed his car and it was probably undriveable, so i wouldnt give him ANY kudos for "stopping".

Posted by opns on August 26, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Okay lets look at the paper the way it read:
"...after he allegedly struck and killed a jogger..."
Okay now, then he's alledgedly drug and stupid.
Further, anyone who drinks and drives is not honest. Plain and simple as that. No more, no less. As the victims.

Posted by Angelmama on August 26, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry, but I am still shaking my head....this could have been prevented. What the h- e -double hockey stick was this kid doing drinking at 6:30 AM??????? I realize that's not the point......but this is certainly the reason that every time my daughter gets in her car, I fear I get the "knock on the door" again. It's a parents (or any loved ones) worst nightmare.

Posted by opns on August 26, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OH no, i wasn't called omie a puke, noooo noooo. i was calling the driver that, not oooommmie.
Sorry if thats how it read. re-read it.

Posted by daugtherofimmigrant on August 26, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OPN you wrote - "Omie –honest and stopped huh? Hmmm. I say drunk and stupid, more like the accident caused some senses to kick in and waited".
Omie called the driver honest because the very first story did not indicate that the driver was drunk. It was a one paragraph story with really no details it only indicated that a driver had hit a pedestrian and was killed. It also indicated the driver had veered off the road for unknown reasons, but pulled over.
Now we know why he veered off the road, and I think he pulled over because he hit a tree and everything else in sight, the car probably stopped on it's own.

Posted by BeaHappi on August 26, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

daughterofimmigrant - thank you! The original information did say that the driver stopped to see what had happened. I'm not going crazy!

Obviously drinking and driving is a big no/no. But as has happened before with these stories, it could be that something else played a factor in his swerving. NOT defending him if he was indeed driving while intoxicated; just saying that it could have been something else.

In any case, I am so sorry that this woman died. Wow, go out for a morning run and never come home...that's so sad.

Posted by opns on August 26, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you for clarifying.

Posted by omie on August 26, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

When I read the story did not mention he was a drunk. My bad for jumping the gun, I was just first to comment on it, as it happens often here.
I was also nailed by a drunk just before my 19th b-day. Spinal injuries, cracked skull to mention just a few of the injuries, I'm alive because of the old school volvo and its seat belt.
I am against drinking and driving. Even if it is just 1 drink, that is all it takes for me to not drive or get in a car with anyone who has just that 1 drink.
This creep should pay for his crime but supporting that family that he destroyed.

Posted by vc1977 on August 26, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is what Nick wanted to do after high school. Nick LaGrotta After leaving, Nick
plans to go to a junior college and then
transfer into a business school. Once
done with school, he wants to take
over his dad’s business. Nick is glad to
get out and start life. Too bad because of his stupid decision to drink and drive he just ended a ladies life and brought so much grief to her family.

Posted by justmeinsp on August 26, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

".... a Santa Rosa Valley resident...." I find it ironic that a resident of that area would be guilty of a vehicular crime when Sta Rosa Rd. is the same road where a young girl was hit and killed by a car several years ago and her grieving family would stand out there with signs pleading for people to slow down and got the speed limit reduced there... Tragic that the Marsh family has suffered this loss...

Posted by brwnbear on August 26, 2008 at 3:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

throw the book at this fool

Posted by Someonewholoves on August 26, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Camdad101, you should be ashamed of yourself. Where a person lives does not make that a reason for bad choices. You are a person that makes assumptions before they know the whole story.

Lets' wait and see... My deepest sympathy goes out to the victims family. It is a tragedy.

Posted by affected on August 26, 2008 at 3:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey Camdad101,

You need to get a clue, that you are not helping at all! These are real people and families that you are talking about, they are people that you know nothing about! You haven't the slightest clue of these people and their lives to say that he is a "spoiled little rich boy" is simply ignorant! What is your intention on making sure the public knows the address of the driver... What is your goal? To cause more grief in these peoples lives? How dare you be so cold hearted and ignorant!

You want to help Camdad101, say a prayer for all the people involved and that have been affected by this horrible accident.

Posted by MissGreen on August 26, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I concur, reality_hurts!

Posted by Adam_Monroe on August 26, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I commend and applaud CamDad's posting of this EASILY ACCESSED PUBLIC INFORMATION...if this guy were accused of touching a kid, I bet you people would like the info...that poor woman...my condolences go out to the families...I hope this kid recognizes how many lives he has screwed up for many years to come...

Posted by vcres1 on August 26, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Karey was the most polite, gentle, easy going woman I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. She was an avid exerciser who ran Lindero even after she moved away from the route just because she felt safer and loved the fellow community of joggers/walkers that exercise there. She was one of a kind.

There's a small memorial for Karey on Lindero just before Boxfield where the accident took place. Flowers have been placed around the tree the car hit... which is nothing more than a stump. You can walk slightly further down the road and see just where the firefighters had to cut through the bushes to get to her body.

Karey you're already missed by many of us. We love you.

Posted by handyhood on August 26, 2008 at 5:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Altough I'm sure that this young man did not make a decision to get drunk and kill someone with his vehicle, that is what he did. He will have to live with this for the rest of his life not to mention jail and civil liability. He screwed himself pretty good. My condolences to the victims family.

Posted by londoncalling on August 26, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

justmeinsp, the speed limit on Santa Rosa Road was NOT reduced. It is still the same speed limit that was in place when the young girl was hit and killed. Just FYI.

Posted by namaste_1 on August 26, 2008 at 5:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

obviously what happened here today is a tragedy to everyone involved not only has a woman lost her life, a 23 year old kid has lost his as well.I'm sure his intentions this morning were not for this to of happened. It is sad that camdad has nothing better to do than pass judgement. Remeber MR. CAMDAD one day you will also be judged............... by GOD!!! I hope your affairs are in order. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families.

Posted by WLVDogwalker on August 26, 2008 at 7:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is a tragedy. Anyone who is out walking, riding a bike, jogging or walking a dog in the area knows this beautiful woman and has gotten a warm smile and friendly hello from her. This person who stopped because a tree, a power box, srubs, an airbag and a totaled car gave him no other choice should not have any sympathy at all. Getting into a car drunk is like walking into a crowd with a loaded weapon and shooting it...Something or someone is bound to get hit. She probably wasn't trying to cross the street, but rather was in the correct area (marked path) for bikes and joggers. She probably was facing traffic (as I always see her do) but how do you get out of the way of a speeding car. Lindero is a death trap for pedestrians. EVEN IN A CROSSWALK WITH A GREEN LIGHT & THE "WALK" LIGHT. I am so sad for her friends and family and the neighborhood who she greeted every day with a warm loving smile. Karey you will be missed more than you will ever know.

Posted by forlizandal on August 26, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Every morning I go for my walk at 5:30am and at exactly 5:45am she pulls up in her car and begins her run. Last week was the first time I stopped to talk to her instead of our usual good morning. She was a very sweet woman who was dedicated to keeping herself in shape. I saw her this morning as she ran by me and five minutes later heard what turned out to be the end of this woman's life. As we all started walking over to the scene everyone was saying the same thing, "have you seen her???" As we got closer, with still no sign of her, you could see all of our faces getting whiter. We got to the scene and the figherfighters and police were looking for her in the bushes. Her shoes were found right at the point of impact. Searching and searching, it felt like forever, and finally one of the officers yelled, "over here". We all walked over to the call. The fireman came over and asked us to leave the and with that the coroner showed up. She runs the same path every morning and I know she saw this car coming at her. What she must have thought in that last second will haunt me for a long time. She was a staple in this community. Someone you could always count on seeing, with that wonderful smile. And for some of us, an inspiration.

Posted by clubtoss on August 26, 2008 at 8 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is SO devestating. I have seen this woman jogging almost every morning for the past year when I walk my dog in the morning; we never say more than "hello" or "how are you?", but she was part of the neighborhood and part of my morning routine and part of the fabric of what makes our community so special. I had just seen her literally 5 minutes before she was killed...she stopped to pet my dog and say hello. I heard the crash when I was walking around the park, and wondered what had happened. I didn't even know her name until today, but that doesn't matter...the fact that this allegedly drunk driver took her life is beyond sad...it's a reminder to all of us to savor every day. Please go home and hug your family and remember that every minute is special.

Posted by sparks240 on August 26, 2008 at 8:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WLVDogwalker, Your comment "but rather was in the correct area (marked path) for bikes and joggers" is a bit off base. If she was in the bike lane, it's called the BIKE LANE for a reason. Pedestrians and joggers should stay off the street. Very tragic. Condolences to her family.

Posted by sparks240 on August 26, 2008 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Eminent1, I've been here for 40 years. I know the area quite well. I never run or ride in the street. I stick to the hills. To many drivers with angry attitudes like you.

Posted by steve93 on August 26, 2008 at 9:29 p.m.

(This thread was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by RenaJ on August 26, 2008 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The driver of this car is nothing but a faceless name to me. Myself, her family, friends and all of her loved ones will suffer the loss of our dear Karey. A beautiful person inside and out. I mourn her loss deeply. My family and I reach out to hers. So sick, saddened and distraught over the loss of my dear friend. I dont even know what else to say.

Posted by ReinadeRoma on August 26, 2008 at 10:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

RenaJ,
Please accept my deepest sympathy upon your loss of, by all accounts, a wonderful human being. You're quite right: all the attention given to the perpetrator of this criminal act is stealing the spotlight from Karey and her senseless death. As a runner and a cyclist, I've always made the assumption that motorists neither saw me nor would stop for me; the posters on this site that are speculating as to whether Karey was exercising proper caution are engaged in a pointless debate. There was probably nothing she could have done to dodge two tons of steel barrelling straight at her.

RenaJ, I pray that Karey's friends and family will soon have the strength to organize some kind of memorial running event to raise funds and awareness for one of her favorite causes. I guarantee I'd be there, and I'm sure that hundreds of other runners would be there, too. Let's all come together to perpetuate her memory, and to do whatever we can to make sure no one ever meets the same fate at the hands of this faceless, selfish criminal.

Posted by Andrew_Smolik on August 26, 2008 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As a bicyclist, I leave joggers in the “bike lane” alone and just pass them (as I would also pass a slower bicyclist) at a safe distance using the vehicular lane without complaining. I realize that bicyclist harassment of joggers in bike lanes isn't much different in principle — regardless of whether or not a jogger is “legally” in the “bike lane” — from motorist harassment of bicyclists in what they mistakenly call “car” lanes (such as when a class II bicycle facility, a.k.a. “bike lane,” doesn't exist or is unsafe or inappropriate to use for conditions). Joggers probably don't want to deal with “moms with strollers” on sidewalks any more than bicyclists do. Furthermore, “moms with strollers” on sidewalks probably also prefer that whizzing-by bicyclists and joggers stay clear of the sidewalks.

Posted by inurface on August 27, 2008 at 12:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i am an aquaintance of the driver, well was. The substance abuse was an issue and could see this coming. my condolences to the family of the woman. if anyone knows anyone who is an addict, please get them help. its not worth it.

Posted by JmeDavis on August 27, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It sounds like even if she was on the sidewalk instead of in the bike lane, she still would have gotten hit. I'm not familiar with that stretch of Lindero though.

Posted by Someonewholoves on August 27, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

well I wrote a nice response to your obvious angst towards the Lagrotta's and it was not posted. You must know them to feel it necessary to trash the family that has nothing to do with an adult that made a very bad choice and will have to deal with the consecquences. you are very cowardly to hide behind your CamDad 101 screen name. Why don't you reveal your true identity so we can all google your name and search public records to see where you live and all the bad you have done in your life. it's people like you that are typically the one with something to hide. And if you don't have anything to hide you obviously do not have God in your life to pass such judgement on a family. Nick made the wrong decision yesterday morning when he got in his car alledgely under the influence. I make no excuse for that type of behavior, but thank God we live in the country we do that you can write on a discussion board like this and that is the same country that presumes you innocent until proven guilty. And the fact that you feel the need to put his family on the chopping block tells me you are either jealous or have a vendetta against them. I will continue to pray for ms. marsh and her family, Nick and his family and you too Camdad101. We could all use a little prayer.

Posted by puppylove on August 27, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

A very horrible event occurred and a woman lost her life. Why are we tarnishing Karey's memory by going on and on about "the spoiled rich kid" who did this? Would it be any different if Nick wasn't, as has been so often put, "a spoiled little rich boy living on daddy's money?" Would that make what happened any less painful for the family? I don't think so. Yes, a wrong was committed and yes, there should be consequences but posting someone's address or facebook page is not the way to do. I am NOT one to say, "pray for everyone and it will be alright" but I will say, perhaps keep the victims of this tragedy in your thoughts and let the rest be handled by the authorities.

Posted by Rodulu on August 27, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with what ReinadeRoma and Puppylove are trying to say. Yes, absolutely, this guy should be punished, however putting the spotlight on what he did wrong really isn't helping the family - at all. And personally, I think helping her family would be a MUCH better use of energy.

I for one would be willing to volunteer to help organize a memorial run in her honor, a run that would raise funds for her family and raise awareness of how one moment's bad decision can change lives - forever. I have no idea how to do this, but I'm willing - anyone else?

Ideas, suggestions?

Posted by Rodulu on August 27, 2008 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Just curious Camdad, what is your relation to this man's family? How do you know these facts to be facts? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for this kid getting the book thrown at him, but not until I KNOW all of the facts to be facts.

Could you substantiate your statements?

And btw, just because people would rather focus energies on prevention and helping the victim's family, doesn't translate into sympathy for the driver. Just to clarify.

Posted by JustWantToSay on August 27, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"FACT: Nick's family WILL pay for his defense."

..And you know this how???? I thought people were a little weird for previously insinuating that you had a bone to pick with Nick's family but now I think I agree with them. I'm not going to dispute anything you say about Nick himself as I agree he is accountable for his actions and has put himself in a position to be publicly tried (even if I don't agree with your manner of doing so) but your obsession with dragging his family back into this at every opportunity just makes eevrything you say look vindictive and crazy rather than justified and educated. Nick is 23, he ALONE, is responsible for his actions.

Posted by LivinInPoorMansPV on August 27, 2008 at 1:06 p.m.

(This thread was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by Rodulu on August 27, 2008 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LivinInPoorMansPV,

I can only assume you are a troll. Like Camdad, you seem to enjoy stirring the pot by making insinuations for which you have no proof - or even a clue.

I do not know this kid. I do know a young man who's life was cut short just last week because of drugs and alcohol. I have teenagers. I am a runner. I have three very good reasons right there to be enormously insensed at Mr. Lagrotta's horrendously bad choices.

But, I do not know him, I do not know if he parties every day, or once a year, and I really don't care what the frequency is. The law is there to punish him, and other than writing a letter to the D.A. (which I will be doing) it is out of my control what happens to him.

What IS in my control, is my own behavior (that would be not being a troll), and what efforts I can make to do something helpful for those left behind.

Your insinuation that I, and others, could be his "drug buddies" only confirms that you haven't a clue.

As a very wise man once said: Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

Way to open your mouth.

Posted by getreal on August 27, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm going to make a guess and say that Nick probably went put the night before and had too much to drink, stayed at a buddies house, woke up and decided to drive home because he had work or school or some other commitment but was still intoxicated from the night before. Most young people don't understand that just because you "sleep it off" there still could be a considerable amount of alcohol in your system. This is just my guess, I was not there, I do not know facts. There is a popluar bar just down the road from the accident though.

Posted by LivinInPoorMansPV on August 27, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Back at yah! Rodulu

As a very wise man once said: Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

Way to open your mouth.

Now you can tell everyone your assumtions of camdad were absolutely untrue:

"Just curious Camdad, what is your relation to this man's family?"

Posted by mindyourbusiness on August 27, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FACT: Camdad has no relation to the man's family.

Posted by mindyourbusiness on August 27, 2008 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FACT: Camdad has nothing better to do

Posted by mindyourbusiness on August 27, 2008 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Camdad: Considering you were up at 4:11am this morning, on this blog proves my statement. "you have nothing better to do" You have yet to substantiate your previous "facts". Why is it that you are so drawn to this? I understand a lady lost her life and a young man did as well (different ways of course), but I am compelled to ask you if maybe you are family of a victim of a drunk driver? You mentioned you have no relation to either family so why continue this? I am sure the Ventura County Star has posted other stories that may interest you...your harsh words won't bring this lady back. Put your energy into a memorial or Mother's against drunk driving (MADDD). I am not trying to be cynical, but you obviously have a lot of passion that could be better directed. Take Care and may your community heal from this tragedy.

Posted by sterlingengagements on August 27, 2008 at 7:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I find it absolutely sickening that Camdad etc... has taken the liberty to bring so much negativity to a tragedy. As if things are not bad enough for both the family of Ms. Marsh and Nick La Grotta's family you have to sit here and egg people on. What is your purpose? This obviously was a horrible accident, to continue on and on with such anger and hate toward a family that you supposedly don't even now... why? If this story moved you so much how about diverting your energy toward Karey's memory with a service or assisting the community, lay off the accusations and let it go.

Posted by steve93 on August 27, 2008 at 8:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would ove to know why my comments were deleted, none of them were in violation of the tos?

Posted by steve93 on August 27, 2008 at 8:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would love to know why my comments were deleted, none of them were in violation of the tos?

Posted by Kevin on August 28, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The news columnist Robert Novack recently hit a pedestrian, and then found out that he had a brain tumor. We do not have all of the facts in this matter. Why don't we wait for the police and courts to sort this out before jumping to conclusions. If the driver had a brain tumor would that change the fact that a woman is dead? No.

Posted by chucho on August 28, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

HELLO,IM READING ALL OF THE COMMENTS,, IM VERY VERY SORRY FOR THE DEATH OF THIS PERSON,, WE CANT BRING HER BACK,,SHE IS IN A BETTER PLACE,, I KNOW PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY THAT ,, BUT SHE IS WITH THE LORD ,,,IM A GOOD FRIEND OF THE LAGROTTAS AND I HAVE KNOWN NICK SINCE HE WAS 5 YRS OLD I KNOW FOR A FACT IT WAS NOT HIS INTENTION TO HURT ANYONE,, IF HE DIDDNT CRASH THE HEART OF THIS KID WOULD OF MADE HIM STOP AND TURN HIMSELF IN,,AGAIN I KNOW HIM HE IS LOVED JUST LIKE KAREY IS LOVED ,WHAT HE DID WAS WRONG WRONG WRONG AND HE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE HERE AND IN HEAVEN,,,BUT EVERYONE ONE HAS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS TWO SIDES TO EVERYTHING,,, TWO FAMILYS DEVISTATED,,TWO LIFES GONE,, IM SORRY FOR THE LOSS FOR THE MARSH FAMILY AND IM SORRY FOR THE LOSS TO THE LAGROTTAS FAMILY,,,I SAY LOSS BECAUSE BEING IN JAIL FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE IS A WASTE AND A LOSS,,PEOPLE MAKE MISTAKES,, BEFORE THE ACCIDENT HE WAS LOVED AND HE STILL IS,,,,WE CANT JUDGE GOD WILL,,,THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT WOULD AND COULD HATE IS THE MARSH FAMILY,,IT WAS A TERRRIBLE ACCIDENT ITS SOMETHING THAT WE ALL GROW FROM,,, GOD BLESS EVERYONE IN THE MARSH FAMILY AND THE LAGROTTA FAMILY THERE LIFES HAVE BEEN TORN APART,,,,,,,

Posted by motoman on August 28, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have been following this story and just read this thread from top to bottom. A few observations.

First - There is neither a need nor a place for cruelly maligning the family of the driver. I will go out on a limb and guess that the suffering these people are dealing with at the moment falls short only of the family of the person killed. Everybody reading this story feels pain for Karey, and Nick's family is surely no exception; however, they must now also cope with both a measure of responsibility and the virtual loss of a son. Nobody outside of this family could know how this feels and it is simply irresponsible to tear them down for poor choices made by an adult son.

Second - For those who are condemning Nick to the gallows, and I confess to having a tendency to do so myself, I hope none have ever made the mistake of driving after having had a few too many to drink. I hope none have ever made life/death decisions as a young adult but got away with them, as have I and virtually everybody else I know. If you have, then the attacks are a bit hypocritical. It is okay to feel outrage about this....we should be outraged by it, but this was an accident. It was an accident perpetrated by a foolish young man whose life is now basically over. One life is lost and families and friends are suffering in ways that can not be repaired by outrage. It was an accident that I'd guess could have been made by 80% of all adults in our community at one point or another, and while Nick seems to have had problems that extend beyond what most would consider within the scope of "normal" it doesn't change the fact that this was an accident.

For those reading this who have never driven after drinking and/or have never acted in such a way that harm might have come to another, I applaud you. I suspect not many would fall into this category, however. For those reading this who HAVE made such mistakes, take the ONLY positive thing that can come from this and use your outrage as a catalyst for adjusting your behavior and encouraging others to do the same. Luck, and luck alone dictates whether your mistakes will produce a disaster of this magnitude.

Nick's luck ran out and he must now spend the rest of his life accounting for the fact that he killed another person. In spite of the beliefs of the foolish backseat lawyer's comments above, Nick will spend many many years behind bars, not to return to society until his twilight years. Families will spend the rest of their lives dealing with the fallout, and in this bargain nobody wins. Misguided outrage and pointing fingers at those with adjacent responsibility at most only serves to misdirect attention from the real problem here. My heart goes out to both families and my prayers are with Karey. I hope she is in a better place, and that there is some bigger plan at play for us all.

Posted by SoCalMommy on August 28, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have heard that statistics show that a person arrested for DUI has driven 50 times while intoxicated before them getting arrested. They just didn't get caught the last 49 times they drove under the influence. That is just what I've heard.

Posted by LivinInPoorMansPV on August 28, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Heck when I was a kid drinking and driving was allowed. You could drive with a beer in your hand for christ sake! Then people started realizing as more and more people flocked to this country, and the population grew, and more and more people were on the road, especially untrained illegal drivers, that a huge amount of car accidents involved driving while intoxicated. So they MADE A LAW! Now these kids go through school being hammered about the ill effects of alcohol and driving while under the influence, AND THEY STILL DO IT! That is wrong! We learned from our mistakes in the 70's & 80's to teach people from our mistakes. He knew better, no doubt about that, and he still did it!

HANG HIM!

Posted by dom_kenpo on August 28, 2008 at 4:37 p.m.

(This thread was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by rave on August 28, 2008 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Was she the blonde woman who ran Lindero Canyon almost every morning?

Posted by etime on August 29, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I know this is a tough subject but let the driver be innocent until it is proven otherwise. I know friends and They said he wasnt drunk... he had drinks the night before and slept it off... he woke up in the morning and fell asleep at the wheel on the way home.. accidents do happen and dont let peoples opinion judge you before you know the complete truth.. please pray for both famililes for this is a hard time for both.

Posted by peanut14 on August 29, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You need to CamDad

Posted by peanut14 on August 29, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope to God that you eventually stop throwing bricks from inside your glass house.

Posted by motoman on August 29, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I just figured it out... CAMDAD is "that guy" at the local condo complex who annoys all of his neighbors out of an incessant need to complain to people, no matter how much they wish he'd just go away. He has baseless opinions and represents nothing more than the neighborhood blowhard. Since he has no friends because people avoid engaging with him at any cost, he does the only thing he can do to be heard, which is to hide anonymously behind a screen name, throwing stones at random passers by. He is bitter and weighed down heavily by a massive chip on his shoulder, and he genuinely believes the world owes him one. His own life is so pathetic that he hits people when they are down to make himself feel less insignificant. Sadly there is no punishment for people like this.

CAMDAD, you know none of the parties involved here. What exactly are you hoping to accomplish other than to stir the pot? The legal system will deal with Nick, and he will be saddled with the memory of Karey's death every day for the rest of his life. If you seek more remedy than this then why don't you channel your energy toward that problem versus imposing your views repeatedly in this forum where they serve no positive purpose? Could it be that your sole motivation is to complain, and that deep down you don't really care about the true issues at play?

This is my second and last post here, and with any luck everybody else will resist the temptation to extend this conversation any longer. As I suspect you experience in all other exchanges with people, in the end everybody runs as fast as they can to avoid hearing anything more from you than is absolutely necessary.

God bless Karey and her family and friends who must be suffering terribly..

Posted by namaste_1 on August 29, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you
motoman you just said it all !!!

Love, Sympathy and Prayers to the Marsh family

Posted by biker on August 29, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is a tragedy and should never happen, but it does. What I don't understand is how the majority of you people believe we should hang this young man. O.K. thats the right solution, NOT !. Maybe all you people are perfect and never had made a mistake. I think not and more importantly do I know you are not perfect, the majority of you people have driven drunk. Think about it, have you ever driven drunk ?. All it takes is once.
Im not justifing this mans mistake, nor do i feel he should walk away with probation, Im just saying he doesnt deserve a life sentence. This was a accident and a terrible mistake. This man has a problem with substance abuse most likely, not a problem with killing people. Give him a break and pray for everyone involved. More importantly judge yourself and not others because people that matter don't judge and people that judge don't matter.

Posted by WolfWalker on August 30, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

please take time to read these
http://www.alcoholalert.com/drunk-dri...
http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Storie...
http://www.ghsa.org/html/projects/OTL...

Posted by kit on September 2, 2008 at 4:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i am guessing Camdad is in law enforcement, or some type of work in which he experiences much powerlessness - Cam, you have made your point, i challenge you to leave the judgment up to the powers that be and focus instead on positive actions toward Karey's memory - in the time you sent blogging here, you could have organized a fund raiser /memorial type tribute to her - seriously camdad - I hope you get the professional help/spiritual assistance you cry out for!

Posted by vanityskins on September 19, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

For those of you who seems confused about what has actually happened here, I would like to fill you in. Mr. La Grotta is a personal and CLOSE good friend of mine. He would never do something like this intentionally. Some of you seem confused as to why he would just plow into someone without hesitation or stopping. Well plain and simple, he wouldn't, obviously!! What they don't tell you is that he fell asleep at the wheel and woke up, called his girlfriend and said " Ive just gotten into a bad accident, i can here the police on there way." Imagine all of you, going out for the night, having some drinks and fun with your friends about an hour away from where you live. Not having anywhere to go to sleep. Deciding to make a decision to sleep in the back of your car. Realizing you have to work at 8am the next morning and getting up at 6am to make the drive home to get some actual rest. As the story goes no one sees the inside scoop. AND YOU PEOPLE THINK HE SHOULD BE HUNG??? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU. every single day each one of us is going out to have a few drinks either at home, with buddies, this could happen to anyone. But because Nick is not the victim in this case he is made out to look like a MONSTER. Yes drinking and driving is horrible, i dont do it.. EVER. But Nick was not drinking all morning and then driving all around, he was on his way home, exhausted and fell asleep. This happens all the time, the fact that there was a woman who happened to be in the line of nicks car, is just chance.

my heart goes out to the family of Karey Marsh. May you RIP.

And as for you Nick... we love you and youre in our prayers, these things happen.

WE ARE ALL ONLY HUMAN!!!!!!!

Posted by rmedley on September 21, 2008 at 4:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You are right, we are only human, and two lives should not be lost here. My heart breaks for this horrible tragedy. God bless all involved. Rene'e~

Posted by ProKareyMarsh on October 8, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

TO VANITYSKINS:

First of all, you stated..."What they don't tell you is that he fell asleep at the wheel and woke up, called his girlfriend and said " Ive just gotten into a bad accident, i can here the police on there way."

Did you forget to mention that the police found DRUGS that he was on in his car? he was not exactly sober.

Second of all, you stated that..."the fact that there was a woman who happened to be in the line of nicks car, is just chance."
Karey didnt HAPPEN to be in the line of Nick's car. She was clearly running in the bike lane and Nick (being drugged up) swerved and hit her. The report says that she tried to jump out of the way. Nick clearly went off the street and up into the bushes where karey was dragged along and then thrown 30 feet. Have you not been to the scene? Did you not see all the car pieces and the bushes demalished?

Also, Nick was PASSED out when the police arrived at the scene and they had to wake him up. So if you are saying that he heard the cops coming..then are you telling me he as pretending to be passed out?

Get your facts straight...NICK WAS ON DRUGS AND DRIVING BEHIND THE WHEEL!!!! He deserves the maximum punishment!!!

Also that was not mentioned is that Nick went to his girlfriends house in the middle of the night, which is when she kicked him out since he was all drugged up!!!!

WE LOVE YOU KAREY and will make sure Nick gets the maximum punishment that he deserves.

RIP KAREY!

Posted by JAD149 on October 9, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To: VanitySkin and anyone trying to even remotely defend what he has done.

You are ignorant and naive to come on this blog and say something such as 'it is just chance' and 'these things happen' on a site where people are obviously hurting and mourning the lose of Karey. Go kick rocks.

Posted by lvmykds on October 12, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT NONE OF YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO SAY ONE DAMN WORD ABOUT MY FAMILY! THIS IS BETWEEN TWO FAMILES.YOU ALL ARE JUST BORED WITH YOUR LIFE AND ARE TRYING TO PUT YOUR NOSE WHERE IT DOES NOT BELONG.YOU WERE NOT THERE AND YOU DONT HAVE THE COMPLETE STORY.YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HARD HIS LIFE WAS.HOW MUCH WE LOVED HIM.HOW MUCH OF A GREAT PERSON HE IS.PEOPLE MAKE MISTAKES.ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE.WHEN GOD FEELS IT OUR TIME TO GO WE DIE.GOD MUST HAVE FELT THAT IT WAS HER TIME TO GO.GOD HAS CHOSEN ALL OF OUR PATHS IN LIFE.WE BOTH HAVE HAD A LOSS.BOTH ARE MISSED DEARLY.PLEASE STAY OUT OF THIS!!! NICK I LOVE YOU AND I PRAY FOR YOU EVERYDAY.

Posted by ProKareyMarsh on October 14, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We have the right to speak out for Karey as she is one of OUR loved ones and her voice must be heard since she isnt here to do so!!!!! We arent just people who are bored and trying to put our nose in someelse's business.

Posted by JAD149 on October 14, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

lvmykds:

I understand that you are hurting by what has happened to your family and I am sorry that YOU have to go through this. You understand what you are trying to say to everyone who's heart physically aches by her loss right??.. Im not sure you see the entire picture. You do still have your son. He unfortunately, will probably be out of jail within the next ten years and you will be able to hug him, laugh with him, hold his hand, and speak to him. How do you think that you have a right to call people bored that will never ever have that again with Karey? What you have posted makes my stomach ache because I am so hurt that you could be so naive to think that was justified. How dare you take a hit at people in pain and hurting at an indescribable level because of what he has done? That was completely self-righteous and I suggest you learn when to keep your opinion to yourself.

Posted by ProKareyMarsh on October 14, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

LVMYKDS:

We are Karey's family and we have just as much right to blog our hurt as you do. We are not blogging because we are bored but because Karey needs a voice (her's is gone forever). We know what happened, we have been to the court hearings and have contact with the police and the DA. God does not choose our paths, he has given us free agency to make our own choices. Nick made a choice and in turn took away Karey's. God is the final judge but for now Nick must adhere to the laws of the land. That being said he needs to pay a price for his decision to drive intoxicated that morning. We are sorry for you loss and your pain but at least you will see your son's face and tell him that you love him. We will never see Karey again...

Sincerely,
- A close friend to karey