12 Oct, 2006
19-year-old driver sentenced in 2005 car-surfing death
By Eric Litke
Sheboygan Press staff
A 19-year-old Kansas man was sentenced Monday to 60 days in jail and given 18 months probation for driving a vehicle his best friend fell from while "car surfing" in Sheboygan in July 2005, said Sheboygan County District Attorney Joe DeCecco. The 19-year-old friend was killed by the fall.
John A. McKenzie, of Topeka, Kan., reached a plea agreement in which a felony conviction of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle will be deferred 18 months and dismissed if in that time he commits no crime, performs 100 hours of community service — including 25 hours of speaking to youth on the dangers of car surfing — and maintains absolute sobriety.
The charges stemmed from an incident July 7, 2005, in which Kohler resident David Weyrens, a Kansas native, died after falling from the roof of a 1997 Land Rover Discovery driven by McKenzie. DeCecco said the two grew up together in Kansas, and McKenzie was in town visiting Weyrens when the incident occurred.
The two left from Weyrens' home about 3 a.m., with McKenzie riding on the vehicle. Weyrens then took a turn clinging to the Land Rover's luggage rack.
Weyrens fell when a piece of the luggage rack broke off as the car passed St. Nicholas Hospital on Superior Avenue, police said. He died at the hospital shortly after the fall.
DeCecco said Weyrens' parents asked for leniency for McKenzie, and he said the plea agreement reflected that.
"This was a tragic case, but I'm grateful it was resolved consistent with the Weyrens' wishes," DeCecco said in a press release. "I'm hopeful that this utterly needless death of a young man will serve as a warning to others of the dangers and very severe consequences of car surfing."
photo courtesy images.google.com & story sheboygan-press.com, 10/10/06
Looking for something extreme?
After reading today's God's Story, would you describe Paul as someone who discovered an extreme thrill?
Paul was a true follower of Jesus Christ! He flirted with death without having to do any chariot-surfing between synagogues. The dangers Paul faced came from boldly serving Christ and telling others about God's Story and his story, even if it meant prison, torture, or possible execution.
Even though most of us can't begin to picture ourselves trying to ride on the top of a speeding car, your peers who don't know Christ seek thrills that can kill them if they don't believe that God has the answers to this life and life after death.
Paul had God's eternal perspective, so his whole purpose in life was to become more like Jesus and use His God-given courage to tell others about life in Christ, even if it resulted in his death. He didn't fear death, because he knew he would then see Jesus face to face in Heaven and be free from worldly troubles.
Do you want the ultimate thrill? Make sure you know your eternal destiny through Christ. Devote your life to serving Jesus. With His love, you will have the courage to tell others His Story, without fear of death. It's the only way to live!
How can you connect today's God's Story to your life?
- Thank God for His promise of eternal life in Heaven. Praise Him for the privilege and responsibility He has given you to serve Him and to be His messenger. Ask Jesus to forgive you for ways in which you are looking for worldly thrills rather than His Kingdom thrills. Ask Him to show you every day how to serve Him with His eternal perspective in mind.
- Memorize Philippians 1:21 as a reminder of the extreme thrill it is to serve Christ!
- Write a list of what you do to experience thrills in life. How many things on your list involve serving Christ and connecting your story and God's Story to others? Make the adjustments.
- Whenever you see some extreme sports or stunts, let Jesus remind you to live dangerously for His purpose and glory.
How can you connect today's story, God's Story and your story to others?
- Pray every day that your love for others will be extreme, just like Christ's love!
- A very practical application is for you to have the courage to say something and try to intervene when you learn of peers who are planning or suddenly decide to do something "stupid" for the sake of thrills. You may not be a very popular voice at the time, but you may save someone's life. Think of the extreme fulfillment this will give you!
- Use today's story as a conversation starter with a friend who needs Jesus. Ask if he or she heard about this car-surfing story? What does he or she like to do for thrills? Be ready to talk about what gives you excitement in life. Be ready if Jesus leads you....to talk about your story of faith or His Story.
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