State Parole Board Denies Release Of Drunk Driver
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For 14 years, CBS 8 has followed the tragic story of a 12-year-old killed by a drunk driver in Montgomery County and the impact his death has on his family. Today, the state parole board decides if it is time to let the man who killed the boy out of jail. It’s a story you’ll only see on Alabama News Network.
Kyle Eastham and his mom, Anita, were coming back from Pensacola on a spring break trip heading home to Douglasville, Georgia. They were driving through Montgomery County when a drunk driver hit them, killing Kyle. Today, family members from both sides gave their say on whether Caleb Kendrick should be let out on parole.
This was one of the last pictures taken of Kyle Eastham before he left the beach. Now his mom Anita Tomren has just that — pictures and memories of her 12 -year old son.
They’re reminders of what happened on Interstate 85 on April 6, 2000.
“We were rear ended by Caleb and it flipped the truck off the interstate upside down onto an access road,” Said Tomren.
Kyle was found partially ejected — pinned in their truck — after an intoxicated driver, Caleb Kendrick, struck them.
We sat down with Kendick in 2008. He said at the time of the accident, he was more concerned with the damage to his car.
Then reality set in…
“I know they hurt. They hurt every day and will for their rest of their lives thinking about their son, I know that. he had grandparents, too. You know, he had friends,” Said Kendrick.
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A DUI murder that lead both families to the state parole board.
“His desire in his life is to live a life that will bring honor to Kyle’s memory,” Said Kendrick’s mother, Gretchen.
“I know that you weren’t sworn in and had not intended to testify, but the father’s testimony was so compelling last time, I would just like to know if that is the family’s position at this point in time?” Asked the parole Board to Tomren.
At the last parole meeting, Tomren’s husband, Robert, gave a passionate plea to keep Kendrick in jail. Since then, he’s passed away, but this time Anita Tomren chose not to testify.
“I was really praying that whatever God needs to happen in that room happens because I don’t have the answer. And I just have to find a level of acceptance,” Said Tomren.
Two families awaiting on whether Kendrick would be let out…
“Ok, we voted and he did not make parole,” Said the parole board.
While Tomren says she’s forgiven Kendrick…
“This is a horrible horrible result that wasn’t his intention, but you know what, intentions isn’t what we live out on. We live out on our actions, not out of our intentions,” Said Tomren.
Tomren says the healing process after this accident has been a long dark road. Kyle was her only son. Her message to anyone who thinks about driving after being intoxicated? ‘just say no. Because you can’t go back and change your decision.’
Kendrick will be up for parole again in 2017.
