Elkhorn man pushed interlock legislation
Dale Beller knows all too well the importance of keeping drunken drivers off the road.
On Jan. 25, 2002. the Elkhorn man’s parents and two of their friends were killed by a 10-time drunk driver while on vacation in New Mexico. Larry and Rita Beller where in Alice and Edward "Bud" Ramaekers’ van when they were killed by the drunken driver on Interstate 40, near Rio Puerco.
That’s why he has helped to push through legislation in both New Mexico and as of Thursday Nebraska, that requires any convicted drunken driver to use an ignition interlock device in order to drive. The law requires even first time offenders to blow into an alcohol sensing machine and test negative for alcohol before the vehicle will start.
"A drunk driver going the wrong way on Interstate 40 hit them head-on. They were all killed instantly," Beller said while standing in front of the mangled remains of the van his parents died in. "He worked for the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs. He was a nine-time drunk driver and was working at the time. They found a 12-pack of beer in the truck."
Lloyd Larson was not injured. He was in a government truck when he struck the van head on, sending each vehicle backwards about three feet, Beller said.
Larson also was legally drunk. He eventually was convicted in federal court of second-degree murder and is serving a 20-year prison sentence.
"I don’t know why the drunk driver survives," Beller pondered, adding that the holiday season is much more difficult for him now. "I remember the last Christmas my folks were here. It’s just not the same anymore."
His parents lived in Lindsey where they ran a farming operation.
"Their grave site is right next to the fields so they can look over them," Beller said.
Now he and the rest of his family are very involved in the Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization.
He said the Air Force in New Mexico had been using the wrecked van in demonstrations about drunken driving.
"I made a call to the executive director of MADD down there," Beller said. "Two days later, me and (brother) Darren drove down and brought it back. It’s not hard to believe people died in there."
Sarpy County stores the van in it’s impound lot, but the wreckage is used in demonstrations around the area about the dangers of drunken driving.
"I’ve been around with it a couple of times," Beller said. "It helps keep a memory of mom and dad. I’m going on seven years and I still talk to mom and dad every day. They’re still here."
The family also worked in New Mexico and Nebraska to get ignition interlock laws passed for convicted drunken drivers.
"Our family worked quite a bit with Gov. Richardson when down there," Beller said. "Mr. Larson was a nine-time offender. This shouldn’t have happened.
"They have many grandchildren who don’t get to see them anymore," Beller said. "Think before you drink. If you’re going to drink, please don’t get behind the wheel."