FORT WORTH, Texas Video released Thursday documents the end of a night of drinking and driving; a split-second impact that killed one man, seriously injured his friend, and changed life forever for the woman who was found responsible.
Matt Lundy's body and brain remain badly damaged as a consequence of the crash on January 11, 2009. His mother, Vicki Hanzelka, called the footage the most powerful anti-DWI message she's ever seen.
She hopes that if enough people see it, it will change some lives maybe save some.
A red light camera recorded what happened that night. It shows the intersection of Green Oaks Boulevard and South Cooper Street in Arlington. The light turns red.
Nearly four seconds later, a sport utility vehicle runs the light, broadsiding a car carrying two friends.
Josh Carter, 20, died at the scene.
Matt Lundy, now 22, survived with severe damage to his body and brain.
Erica Kolanowski pleaded guilty to intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault. Her blood alcohol level two-and-a-half hours after the crash was 0.17, more than twice the legal limit.
But Kolanowski has no prior DWI convictions. Friends and relatives testified in the punishment phase of the trial that she rarely drove before the crash, and that she was so distraught after the wreck that she tried to take her own life by overdosing on prescription drugs.
Kolanowski wept as she apologized to Matt Lundy and to Josh Carter's parents. Her attorney told jurors Kolanowski deserved probation, and that sending her to prison would do no one any good.
Lundy broke down on the stand, too then regained his composure. He told jurors his goals in life now are to walk and talk normally again.
After deliberating most of Thursday, jurors sentenced Erica Kolanowski to 16 years for Josh Carter's death, and 10 for maiming Lundy. Those sentences will run concurrently, and she will have to serve at least half her sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
The jury's sentence was just four years short of the maximum.
Matt Lundy and his mom said they are pleased with the verdict. Lundy said he's starting to walk again, and that he someday hopes to show the red light camera video to students, lawmakers and anyone else who might make a difference in the number of DWI crashes.
It's tough to watch, but the consequences are tougher.
E-mail jdouglas@wfaa.com