I haven’t had much time to write lately.  I’ve been too busy at work, playing with kids and playing golf.  But that doesn’t mean Raleigh’s gotten any smaller.  And since it’s growing relentlessly I’m more amazed every time I have a close connection to a local event.  This particular event rubbed a bad nerve with me and those directly effected may not appreciate my opinion.  That’s not unusual is it?

Some friends of mine, Daryl and Scotty, live in a big house on Glenwood Ave. which is divided into five apartments.  The girl that used to live next door, Shawntel Pichardo, was dating a self indulging high roller, Daniel Barillas.   Shawntel worked (or works?) for Lainie Panos, who owns the Primp Salon Bar and lives in the apartment unit above Daryl and Scotty.

I only saw Daniel Barillas one time in my life when he was getting out of his red Maserati parked in front of Shawtel’s apartment.  I’ve heard some wild rumors though.  There were stories floating around about how Daniel owned part of a professional sports team and some other potential fabrications.  He was actually a partner in a local fire protection company.  Daniel had a 6 year-old son, just like me.  He recently got Shawntel pregnant and she gave birth to his second child not long ago.  They were engaged.

On March 28th Daniel decided to speed through downtown Raleigh at about 1 AM and then proceeded to run from a NC State Trooper on Capital Blvd. Daniel tried to exit on to the beltline from Capital and lost control of his red Maserati, hit a group of trees next to the on ramp and got killed.  WTF was he thinking?

I hear Daniel was quite a player.  Daryl said one of the things he verbally confronted Daniel about was his apparent flirting with some of the wait staff and bar tenders at Tobacco Road while Shawtel was probably home with their kids.  Don’t know if this portrayal of Daniel accurately describes his common behavior but here’s what I do know: the state Highway Patrol believes alcohol was a factor in the speeding and wreck that killed the guy.  They are waiting for the toxicology report from medical examiners to confirm.  While I feel sorry for Shawntel and horrible for his kids I have no remorse for any ass-clown that thinks so very little of his children and their mother.

If alcohol was a factor one day his children will learn the reason their father died:  He decided to get drunk and tried to outrun a cop in his fancy red sports car.  In the past I have been guilty of driving drunk.  No state secret there.  Recently I was literally yelled at for not willingly drinking more than a beer or two when I knew I had to drive.  When Amy and I go out I am the designated driver.  I make this sacrifice, if you care to call it that, strictly because I don’t want my children to grow up knowing their father died a stupid, avoidable statistic.

Daniel Barillas, an otherwise successful guy with a beautiful fiancee and kids, died a stupid statistic because he didn’t want to go to jail.  He died because alcohol fueled bad judgment.  You’ve got to wonder why he couldn’t put others in his life ahead of his next drink and a wild joy ride?  He didn’t go down in flames of glory.  He went out like a joke with a really bad punch line.  I doubt I’m the only one who shares this controversial, yet unspoken opinion.