This is the time of year that a lot of accidents occur, especially with teenagers and young adults. It is our hope to bring awareness of the consequences of driving fast and impaired.
A memorial sign is finally allowed to be placed six years after 19-year-old Colin Alexander Chelini was killed by a drunk driver. Colin was killed in the 15100 block of the Woodinville-Duvall Road March 29, 2004, when the car hit a utility pole. Speed and alcohol were involved and the drunk driver was sentenced to prison.
At that time, the city of Woodinville would not allow any of the memorial items to be left at the crash site. They took away the cross saying it was a “religious symbol,” the small plaque with Colin’s picture on it, the flowers and the teddy bears. When the family approached the director of public works, the city engineer and the person in charge of the memorial programs, they were told that Woodinville did not allow any memorials or memorial signs within the city limits.
The family is so grateful to former Woodinville Police Chief John McSwain for all of his time and effort in putting together a proposal of an ordinance for memorial signs. McSwain did a wonderful proposal at the Woodinville City Council meeting Jan. 19, this was four days after his last day working for the city of Woodinville. McSwain is currently the “Officer of the Year” for the city of Woodinville.
On Jan. 19, the Woodinville City Council unanimously approved the ordinance proposed by McSwain. One of the councilmembers then asked for a five-minute recess so that they could approach the family. All of the councilmembers approached the family and apologized that this process had taken so long and that the previous administration did not allow this to happen sooner. The Chelini family is very thankful to the current Woodinville councilmembers, the Public Works Director Thomas Hansen and McSwain.
The memorial sign will be placed at 3 p.m. March 29. This is the sixth anniversary of the accident that killed Colin Alexander Chelini. The family and a few of Colin’s friends will be present when the sign is placed. It is the Chelini family’s hope that this sign gives a personal touch that will have more of an impact in deterring people from driving impaired.
Karma Chelini
