Honest Question Regarding Brent Situation

[SHAMSzy]

Honestly and I know this may seem very out of taste, but why is Brent more liable than Brown is for this situation. I know Brown lost his life, but he is an adult and he obviously consented to being in that situation. It isn't like Brent put a gun to his head and forced him to be the passenger while he was drunk driving. Why is Brent responsible and being blamed for this when imo it is Brown's responsibility as an adult to not get in the car with a drunk driver?

 

[burmafrd]

Honestly and I know this may seem very out of taste, but why is Brent more liable than Brown is for this situation. I know Brown lost his life, but he is an adult and he obviously consented to being in that situation. It isn't like Brent put a gun to his head and forced him to be the passenger while he was drunk driving. Why is Brent responsible and being blamed for this when imo it is Brown's responsibility as an adult to not get in the car with a drunk driver?

because by LAW the Driver is responsible for his passengers.

Agreed that Brown needed to know better; but then again how drunk was he?

 

[Tusan_Homichi]

For all we know, Brent could have said he was fine to drive. We're not sure.

Even if he didn't, he's still the driver and has control over the vehicle.

 

[SHAMSzy]

because by LAW the Driver is responsible for his passengers.

This is enough to answer my question, thanks.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Honestly and I know this may seem very out of taste, but why is Brent more liable than Brown is for this situation. I know Brown lost his life, but he is an adult and he obviously consented to being in that situation. It isn't like Brent put a gun to his head and forced him to be the passenger while he was drunk driving. Why is Brent responsible and being blamed for this when imo it is Brown's responsibility as an adult to not get in the car with a drunk driver?

I agree with you and you have more guts to post this than I did. This is tragic but Brown was an adult. He could have helped avoid this whole situation also. Tell Brent neither of them were getting in that car.

 

[17yearsandcounting]

Blaming the victim is always a novel idea.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

because by LAW the Driver is responsible for his passengers.

Agreed that Brown needed to know better; but then again how drunk was he?

They were both drunk.. and both made stupid decisions.

Legally, Brent was behind the wheel so he is responsible, but its no more his fault than Brown's personally for what happened. Just as he made the decision to drive drunk, Brown made the decision to get in a vehicle with a drunk driver.

 

[YosemiteSam]

For all we know, Brent could have said he was fine to drive. We're not sure.
.

Saying your fine means nothing. If he was drinking, he should not have been driving at all. If you know you're going to drink, call a cab.

 

[Tusan_Homichi]

Saying your fine means nothing. If he was drinking, he should not have been driving at all. If you know you're going to drink, call a cab.

Oh, I know. I'm just saying he might have assured his friend that he was fine to drive and obviously wasn't.

 

[SkinsFan28]

Who knows what the conversations were before the accident. Maybe Brent had said he was ok to drive. Maybe he was a stubborn drunk, and Brown mistakenly thought he could make sure his friend got home safe. Maybe Brown was so drunk that Brent led him into the car and thought he could make it. Ultimately Brown lost his life because Brent chose to drive the car while drunk. Brent is responsible for the death of anyone in his car, and should be thankful that no other people were involved at all.

 

[Rack]

Honestly and I know this may seem very out of taste, but why is Brent more liable than Brown is for this situation. I know Brown lost his life, but he is an adult and he obviously consented to being in that situation. It isn't like Brent put a gun to his head and forced him to be the passenger while he was drunk driving. Why is Brent responsible and being blamed for this when imo it is Brown's responsibility as an adult to not get in the car with a drunk driver?

This is what my wife said. "If he's expecting a baby girl why is he out getting into vehicles with drunk drivers?".

Sad situation, but both are at fault IMO. Especially since they could have easily afforded a cab or limo service with the money they make (at least Brent could have).

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Well, the question wasn't very valid from a legal standpoint, but the overall tone of the OP was right on. Both are at fault, but when you get behind the wheel of a vehicle, you assume certain responsibilities.

Agreed but when you get in the passenger side of the same vehicle you should also be held responsible. I have never understood that.

I'm also wondering what responsibilities that club will be held to.

 

[tupperware]

Blaming the victim is always a novel idea.

In my opinion he was only a victim for the fact that he lost his life. If he was indeed intoxicated at the time he very well could have been the one driving and killing Brent instead. If he was intoxicated and lacked the judgment to keep himself out of the car of an intoxicated driver he most likely could have been the one behind the wheel, too.

That doesn't excuse Brent at all, either, by the way. He should be held fully responsible for what he did.

 

[fifaguy]

Honestly and I know this may seem very out of taste, but why is Brent more liable than Brown is for this situation. I know Brown lost his life, but he is an adult and he obviously consented to being in that situation. It isn't like Brent put a gun to his head and forced him to be the passenger while he was drunk driving. Why is Brent responsible and being blamed for this when imo it is Brown's responsibility as an adult to not get in the car with a drunk driver?

More details about what actually transpired will probably be forthcoming. Like, for instance, whether Brent was visibly inebriated and what was the condition of the other players that were at the club that night.

 

[Arkyvarminter]

This isn't going to be very popular either but how many people have NEVER driven a vehicle while impaired? If someone drinks 4 beers and their a normal size person that would be enough to get a DWI. You may not feel drunk but it doesn't matter. What Brent done was wrong and he will pay the price but I feel for him because it was an accident. It could have been avoided and it probably would never had happened if alcohol wouldn't have been involved but I can't sit here and say I have never driven impaired because in my younger years I did...

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

More details about what actually transpired will probably be forthcoming. Like, for instance, whether Brent was visibly inebriated and what was the condition of the other players that were at the club that night.

I've been wondering about that too. Where the other players drunk? Did any of them drink and drive? Why didn't anyone tell Brent that he was in no condition to drive?

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Agreed but when you get in the passenger side of the same vehicle you should also be held responsible. I have never understood that.

I'm also wondering what responsibilities that club will be held to.

Im with you as far as assuming responsibility for what happens to you as a passenger. If you are a passenger in any vehicle though, what are you saying he should be responsible for other than his own life?

 

[RoyTheHammer]

This isn't going to be very popular either but how many people have NEVER driven a vehicle while impaired? If someone drinks 4 beers and their a normal size person that would be enough to get a DWI. You may not feel drunk but it doesn't matter. What Brent done was wrong and he will pay the price but I feel for him because it was an accident. It could have been avoided and it probably would never had happened if alcohol wouldn't have been involved but I can't sit here and say I have never driven impaired because in my younger years I did...

99.9 percent of people here have driven under the influence before.

 

[vta]

This isn't going to be very popular either but how many people have NEVER driven a vehicle while impaired? If someone drinks 4 beers and their a normal size person that would be enough to get a DWI. You may not feel drunk but it doesn't matter. What Brent done was wrong and he will pay the price but I feel for him because it was an accident. It could have been avoided and it probably would never had happened if alcohol wouldn't have been involved but I can't sit here and say I have never driven impaired because in my younger years I did...

Not as unpopular as much as irrelevant. Whether or not there's a precedent based on your own experience or what others have done is irrelevant.

As for how many people have NEVER driven drunk? Probably more than you'll ever know or be able to count.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Im with you as far as assuming responsibility for what happens to you as a passenger. If you are a passenger in any vehicle though, what are you saying he should be responsible for other than his own life?

I guess it's all assumption on my part but Brown should have recommended that neither of them drive. Maybe he did. But getting in a car with some one drunk falls on both parties involved IMOP. I have a 26 year old who I preach to. Call me, call your mother, call any one. No questions asked.

I'd rather have to get up at 2am and go get him or his friends than attend his or their funeral.