The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

For those who have ever got a citation from a Department of Public Safety trooper, a chance to get even for a good cause is now here.

A trooper will be sitting inside a dunking booth from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Snappy’s convenience store located at the intersections of Highways 62 and 87. In addition, there will be a car wash. All of this is an effort to raise money for the Mothers Against Drunk Driving walk on September 22 at Lumberton High School.

This is the second year to participate for Cpl. Bryan Cooper, DPS trooper. The team had seven members the first time and this year the number has grown to more than 20 people.

Cooper said the main reason he wants to help MADD raise money because he feels they are better equipped to deal with the injuries and death associated with drunk driving.

One particular case that sticks in Cooper’s mind is the deaths of Katie, 11, and Cristen Grubbs, 12, of Nederland who were killed in November 2010. According to reports, they were traveling with their father in a Lincoln Town Car on Highway 105 in Vidor when a Dodge Durango driven by 27-year-old Amanda Lewis of Vidor, crossed the center lane and hit the Lincoln head-on. The girls would die at the scene.

Toxicology reports would later indicate Lewis had muscle relaxants and anxiety medications in her body at the time of the wreck. Lewis would receive eight years in prison on each case of intoxication manslaughter to be served consecutively.

For troopers with families of their own, some cases hit a little too close to their hearts.

‘We do more than just give tickets,” said Trooper Stephanie Davis. “We ride up and down these roads too.”

The Walk Like MADD event offers corporations and individuals the opportunity to enhance the health and safety of the community. The walk is a 5K non-competitive, fun-filled time for all. The financial support is done by securing walk pledges from family members, friends, co-workers and anyone else who wishes to help MADD. With the funds collected MADD will be able to work towards their goals of stopping drunk driving, preventing underage drinking and supporting the victims of this violent crime. Every step taken and pledge made will not only help MADD but raise awareness of their vital programs and victim services.

More information is available at http://www.walklikeMADD.org/lumberton.

Photo: Team DPS from 2011 work together for a good cause at the Walk Like MADD 5K walk in Lumberton. Pictured right to left: Bryan Cooper, Stephanie Davis and her son Donte Davis, Phillip Stagg, Chrissy Schrader, Marty Elkins and Phillip Brady with his dog Angel.