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How kind of Mr. Barber to allow a drunk loose without paying for his drunkeness and senseless behavior. This attitude will really resonate in the Halls of Stupidity. Not only is Hernandez getting away with this behavior but now the victim is telling him "Look, you made a mistake, it does not matter that you broke my leg and purposely went for me, you should not be responsible for your actions". What kind of a message are you sending to not just an individual from out of the country but to anyone living in this great country.........we now will let you off easy when you hurt another person. It's a very sad situation however, I do not feel sorry for the victim because he is feeling bad for an individual that has broken the law and inflicted pain and could have killed the victim. Talk about justice! Believe he forgot what it means!!!

I applaude Mr. Barber. His compassion is the same as that we ask for from the Lord daily. My family was faced with the same issue 7 years ago. However, we sat in the opposite seat. Our son age 25, who up until that cool fall afternoon had never even had a speeding ticket. Our son was found to be at fault of a 5 vehicle accident. In the accident one of the drivers died as a result of his injuries. Our son was prosecuted for Capable Negligent Manslaughter (which pretty much means he meant to kill or mame someone) and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. (in Mississippi) Seven doctor's including the states own doctor testified on our sons behalf. He had had a psychotic break brought on by the stress of our daughter in law's recent surgery and treatments for cancer. What happen was truly an accident....however the family and PA wanted to see someone pay...it nearly destroyed us. Can you even imagine seeing your son, who is a wonderful husband, a great father and a child who had never been an ounce of trouble being escorted into a courtroom in handcuffs and shackles. It's more that a mother can bare. In the end the Appeals court overturned the jurys verdict, the family appealed to the supreme court who in turn sent it back to district court. In 2005 our son made a plea with the state...so that we would not have to go back through another trial. So, he was sentenced to 15 years suspended for 5 years probation with no driver's lic. for the 5 year period and will have a felony convection for the rest of his life. So, again I applaude Mr. Barber for his compassion. As a mother who watched a judical system nearly destroy her son. And yes we are sympathic for the family of the man whose life was lost that day. But, I'm certain that there are accidents everyday where there is loss of life when someone has a heart attack or stroke while driving a automobile...and eveyone seems to think oh how sad. But is mental illness not a disease just like heart disease or any other?

My cousin was killed in the Chapel Hill countryside in 2000. Her drunk boyfriend, that she was trying to break up with, was driving. She would have started her freshmen year at Carolina the following day. He never spent one day in prison and was sent to rehab for 2 months that he left after 2 weeks. He never recieved punishment for his actions. My aunt had asked for leniency on his part to the judge. Later she regretted her decision and was filled with anger. I don't understand how he got off scott free and this guy who didn't kill someone is facing jail time. Our system is messed up to say the least...............

David Barber is one fine kinda guy. The whole story shows that. I was real impressed to see how he handled this aspect of it, even as he has lasting injuries. Compassion can go a long way in this world, and this was not an enabling kind of compassion. Inspiring.