The Daily News

Although the faith of a Wolverton, Minn., family of five has been tested to the maximum, they're staying strong and supporting the head of the household, Keith Nelson, 48, as he slowly recovers from a brain injury.

They've also become advocates against drunk driving — the cause of Keith's accident May 2, 2009, where he not only experienced severe head injuries but also fractured 12 ribs and endured numerous scrapes and bruises. Keith was hit by 51-year-old Sandra McGregor at approximately 9:30 p.m. near Walcott as he was driving home from his second job assisting a Richland County farmer.

"She was cited for drunk driving that night. She was three times over the legal limit," said Keith's wife of 22 years, Missy Nelson.

The Nelson family of Wolverton, Minn. has faced numerous struggles in the last year, including seeing the head of the household, Keith, father and husband, suffer from a severe brain injury. However, they’re thankful he survived a May car crash, caused by a drunk driver. Here Missy and Keith Nelson pose with their children Amanda, Jessica and Garrett. photo submitted Advertisement

McGregor, Nelson added, failed to yield at an intersection heading south, and T-boned her husband, who was heading east.

More than six months after the accident, Keith is home but must be supervised 24 hours a day due to his memory loss. He must be brought to cognitive skills therapy three times a week and is still using a tracheal tube for airway management.

"We don't know for sure if he'll get rid of that, that's the goal, in another year's time to deal with that," Nelson said.

The tracheal tube is minimal, though, Nelson added, who knows there may be many more frustrating years ahead dealing with Keith's brain injury.

"I think there's days you just become angry, it's just so frustrating. But we're fortunate that he's still with us," Nelson said. "I think that's what keeps us going."

Although Keith is struggling with brain damage, he is thankful he's alive. Still, he's unable to perform parental duties like he did prior to the accident, which Nelson said has been a big loss for the couple's three children. Instead of being guided in the right direction by their father, they've become the caregiver.

"That's been a big change," Nelson said.

Beyond the ramifications of Keith's accident, Nelson became even more frustrated as she was unsatisfied with McGregor's sentence. On July 13, McGregor was ordered in Southeast District Court to pay $800 in miscellaneous criminal court fees for driving under the influence of alcohol. She was ordered to serve no jail time, but was subject to perform 16 hours of community service and complete a chemical dependency evaluation.

"As far as I know there was no loss of license with her," Nelson said. "North Dakota law, as I've researched, they are so lax and lenient in comparison to Minnesota."

Although Nelson has been in contact with local legal counsel, she's been informed there would be no more charges filed against McGregor. And while she'll continue to do research into North Dakota drunk driving laws, she hopes to spread word of the dangers of the act around her community and in the surrounding area.

"I feel like I've gotten nowhere being an advocate in North Dakota. I think if it's going to get anywhere, it's gotta be the North Dakota residents that take a stand," Nelson said.

A group of Wolverton residents who call themselves "friends of Keith" have organized a benefit to help the Nelson family with medical expenses.

"I say 'friends of Keith' because there was just an overwhelming response in the community. It's the entire community that's been very concerned about them," said Jodi Tracy, a co-organizer of the benefit.

The benefit is set for Saturday, Nov. 21 just 2 1/2 miles from Wolverton, in Christine, N.D., at the Eagle Valley Evangelical Free Church. From 8 a.m.-1 p.m. volunteers will serve up a pancake breakfast, and attendees can bid on items in a silent auction.

"They've been a part of the community for so long," Tracy said. "It's just really sad when you see somebody that you know have to struggle so hard."

Comments

Steve wrote on Nov 30, 2009 5:16 PM:

" Steve, I can't believe you could actually think something like that... Some of the police do what they can, but the courts are the ones imposing the light sentences on the drunks! "




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Steve from Foxhome wrote on Nov 30, 2009 12:39 PM:

" The cops need to get serious about drunk driving. Maybe they need to spend a little less time in doughnut shops and more time staking out bars. "




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Lisa wrote on Nov 25, 2009 9:16 PM:

" Our prayers are with you and your family. My husband was injuried in 2005 and the guy who hit him had caused four accidents in the same intersection. He was find $600.00 and allowed to go on with his life. Ours has been forever altered and we miss the man my husband was, but are still learning to embrass the new man he has become. Take care, Lisa "




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someone who cares wrote on Nov 25, 2009 6:46 PM:

" It doesn't matter who owns the bar, every adult is responsible for their own actions. The law needs to be changed so the person who injures someone while drunk driving is arrested right away and not allowed to go home while the life of the person they injured hangs in the balance, "




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resident wrote on Nov 25, 2009 11:40 AM:

" know the facts, the bar is in steves name, i'v been over this before and i know them very well. "




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Disappointed in the System wrote on Nov 25, 2009 9:28 AM:

" Is there any way a Civil Suit could be filed in these cases? I can't imagine the astronomical expenses that this family must face, forever. Benefits are wonderful, a way for people to reach out to each other. But where is the perpetrator's contribution to the situation that was caused directly by their actions? Let's unite and make some changes in the court system! "




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SB wrote on Nov 24, 2009 9:18 PM:

" There should be a law passes that would Hold drunk Drivers Responsible for the damage they do those who are killed or injured on the highways because the other driver was drinking. The monetary liabilities for such incidents can run into the millions, not to mention the criminal penalties and in order to do this people must get to gether to pass the law. this would make people think twices about driving drunk "




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know the facts wrote on Nov 24, 2009 3:56 PM:

" resident - maybe you should know your facts before you speak. sandy and her ex-husband own the colfax bar so yes they should take away her liquor license. "




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MADD wrote on Nov 24, 2009 10:15 AM:

" "Resident": "THE ACCIDENT IS OVER???" Is will NEVER be over for this family that has to endure daily battles thanks to this irresponsible person! Our Judicial system needs an overhaul, that's for sure. DRUNK DRIVING IS DRUNK DRIVING- Take a look at the victims in rehabs around the country, and take a visit to the cemeteries. The accident is NEVER OVER for the families of the victims of these CRIMES! MADD-MADD-MADD "




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resident wrote on Nov 24, 2009 8:24 AM:

" For the people saying that Sandy owns the bar and should have her liquor license revoked, just so you know she don't own the bar she just runs the bar, so there is know way to get back at her that way. I feel bad about what happend to keith and his family, the accident is over and hopefully keith can make a full recovery. "




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One who knows wrote on Nov 23, 2009 9:27 PM:

" If you are outraged by her lenient sentence, you should start looking into court cases in Richland county. The nickname for one of the State's attorneys is "Reducing Ron" because he reduces so many charges before they even go to court. Also, look at some of the rulings by judges in city and county court. It's shameful. The police do their part by arresting people and enforcing the law. The judicial should be held accountable for their share of the responsibility. "




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Aber Resident wrote on Nov 23, 2009 3:23 PM:

" She should have her liquor license taken away. If she is not responsible enough to make sure she does not drink and drive, patron's of her bar won't be looked after either. No liqour license, no bar... "




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Kathy sister-in-law wrote on Nov 20, 2009 12:40 PM:

" Not much happened to her and she's still driving, and even with another accident. Why should it take, to kill someone before anything is done in ND. I would be worried driving around there, with her still driving. This has affected this family that no one will understand. Hopefully no else has to go through this. Your amazing family and with the community support you'll get through this. "




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MADD wrote on Nov 20, 2009 11:22 AM:

" You are looking at "FIVE" victims of one person making the decision to DRIVE DRUNK. This entire family will endure a lifetime of challenges while this woman continues to serve up alcohol. How ironic. Please, if anything, do not let your patrons leave your establishment and drive drunk! Be an advocate for safety and common sense! There is no need for this irresponsible behavior to continue! MADD - SADD "




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Colfax Resident wrote on Nov 20, 2009 10:46 AM:

" People still patronize her business everyday! "




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Kathysister-in-law wrote on Nov 20, 2009 9:06 AM:

" Sandra had this accident and another not so long ago, and she keeps getting away. I ask Sandra what has changed in her life? This family as had to change everything. Besides taking care the kids, household, daily repairs and animals. Making sure Keith gets up for therapy, which sometimes takes a 1/2 hour or more, because his brain will not wake up. Like Keith says "she's taken so much of my life away", and counts how many months it's been on his fingers "




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Concerned in Colfax wrote on Nov 19, 2009 10:40 PM:

" We all hope that justice will ultimately prevail for those involved. I hope that a positive aspect to this tradgedy will be support for the Nelson family spiritually and financially. "




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Montana friend wrote on Nov 19, 2009 9:07 PM:

" Thank you to the Daily News for running this article to bring the awareness to the issue at hand. This family deserves to have had a settlement from her and her future earnings! She should have to help support this family since she took away one of the bread winners of the family and one of the parents of three children that deserve to have bright happy futures - not the worries of how they will help take care of dad and help pay the bills. "




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Mike Nelson wrote on Nov 19, 2009 8:48 PM:

" I want the public to know that Keith has stated more than once that he bears no ill against Sandy and that he has forgiven her. His forgiving heart really has taught me humility and shown me that such a waste of energy of hatred or malice is wrongly put and a terrible waste of energy. We ask that Sandy please get help, we pray for her frequently. Keith's brother Mike "




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unreal wrote on Nov 19, 2009 8:03 PM:

" along with this amazing family. "




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unreal wrote on Nov 19, 2009 8:03 PM:

" we all need to pray for this woman. "




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Sarah wrote on Nov 19, 2009 3:20 PM:

" There needs to be more than a slap on the wrist for her. Driving drunk ruins people's lives and to not get jail time is crazy! "




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Concerned parent wrote on Nov 19, 2009 1:29 PM:

" This is the reason we need stricter laws and punishments. I do not want me or my children anywhere the roads this lady is driving. She should not even have her license. "




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Unbelievable wrote on Nov 19, 2009 1:20 PM:

" And people still patron her & her families bar in Colfax - "




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Concerned Breckenridge Parent wrote on Nov 19, 2009 9:41 AM:

" Unbelievable !! How can you do something like this and get a slap on the wrist. Come on North Dakota, come on Wahpeton please protect those of us out there on the road. She should be sitting in jail right now. I certainly hope she is paying all their medical bills and some. She owns a bar and should know better. She is the one that is suppose to keep the drunk drivers from leaving her establishment. What does this say about her bar? and her morals. "




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