CHESAPEAKE, Va. - “He was like, 'Look, sis... I need a ride. I need your help. I need a ride to work tonight,'" said Sharee Dunlap.
When Dunlap dropped her brother, Carlos Griffin, off at work last week Tuesday, she didn’t think much of it. The last time she saw her brother was the night he was killed.
Today, she wishes she would’ve done more.
“I wish I would’ve gave him a hug and told him that I love him,” she adds.
Griffin was on his bicycle on his way home when Chesapeake Police say he was hit near Deep Creek Boulevard. Police knocked on Dunlap's door moments after the crash.
“Police went on to declare that my brother had been killed by a drunk driver. That was the most devastating news that you can get around the holidays.”
She says Griffin was the older brother who always took care of her.
“He had a compassion that was unreal,” she adds.
A kind of love his first unborn grandchild will never get to experience. Griffin leaves behind two daughters and a grieving mother.
“That’s her first son, her oldest child.”
Police say 22-year-old Alicia Ouellette is the driver behind the wheel. She was arrested and charged with a hit-and-run and driving on a suspended operator’s license.
Dunlap says her family is praying for the woman.
“We forgive her, and I pray she gets her life on track. This could’ve been worse. She could’ve killed him and died herself.”
Dunlap is using her tragic story to send a message to drivers on the road.
“Be watchful. Look out and don’t be careless, because with this we are losing people,” said Dunlap.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says during the Christmas and New Year's holiday period in 2018, there were more drunk driving-related fatalities than any other holiday period.
Dunlap wants people to cherish and love their families while they still have time with them.
“Spend time with your family. Make memories with your family because tomorrow is not promised.”
The family plans to bury Carlos at the beginning of January. To donate to his funeral expenses, click here.
