Chris Sandy tells his story to GSC Oconee students

The Wonderful World of Wellness at GSC Oconee had a speaker present the story of how his life was changed from one wrong choice he made. After serving a nine year prison sentence, his story is a wake-up call to others so they will not have to make the choice between having a good time or losing their freedom.

Chris Sandy was 22 years old when his life changed and he was left with broken car pieces scattered on a dark country road. On April 11, 2000, Sandy was hanging out with his friends at a party. Sandy consumed four mixed drinks at the party. When someone called and told him about another party right down the road, he was more than eager to join them.

Jumping into his car with his friend Jesse, Sandy had no way of knowing it would be his last party for a long time. Before the wreck Sandy said he and his friend were cutting up, radio blasting, going about 80 mph.  Sandy said, “I opened my eyes and I was on the passenger dashboard.” He heard a police officer yell the words he will never forget: “There’s a fatality on the scene.”

Sandy killed two people, dragging half their car 100 feet down the road before the remains of his car skid to a halt. The woman died on impact and her husband was airlifted to the same hospital as Sandy, where he died hours later.

“I killed two innocent people, grandparents,” Sandy said. “I prayed to God it was just a dream.”

Sandy said he will regret his decision to drink and drive for the rest of his life.  “I was the same age as many of you,” said Sandy. Sandy’s friend walked out of the hospital that night unharmed, all because he was able to buckle his seatbelt moments before the crash.

Sandy made a promise to the victim’s family to do programs all over Georgia at different schools and universities, sharing his story and urging students to not make the same mistake he did.

“I am here to motivate you to make better decisions,” said Sandy. “Think about the things you value.”

Before Sandy was sent to prison he had a chance in court to say a few words to the family. “I felt like they were empty words,” said Sandy. After that, Sandy never spoke to the family again, saying they did not want to speak to him. That day in the courtroom was the last day of Sandy’s freedom for many years. “I was scared to death,” said Sandy.

All he had was a 7-by-12 cell to share with his cell mate, who was serving two life sentences for murdering two people.  Sandy said you never know who you will be housed with. Sandy spoke of one man serving 42 years in prison, “He is not getting out. And it was all because of one bad choice in his life,” said Sandy.  Sandy also saw a 17-year-old boy who could not handle prison, and ended up hanging himself.

After prison Sandy’s life was changed. “For the next 8,000 days I will be a parolee, that’s 21 and a half years,” said Sandy. Some may think that after getting out of prison a person’s life goes back to normal. For Sandy, this is anything but true.

“Some things I have to go through are I have someone supervising me. I have a parole officer,” said Sandy.  “Every month I have to pay a fee. I must keep a job.”

If he fails to meet any of these requirements Sandy will be placed back in prison. The hardest part for Sandy, however, is that on April 11 of every year he must revisit the crash site. In order to prove he was actually there, Sandy must also take a camera, and lay a flower memorial beside the two white crosses. They are the only marks left of the horrible crash. Sandy must do this until the age of 53.

“This has strengthened my faith in the Lord,” said Sandy. “I more fully embrace my faith.”

Sandy is now married, and keeping his commitment that he made to the Kings’ family. He is more particular about whom his friends are and he wants the students in the community to understand the risks that come with drinking and getting behind the wheel of a car.