Accused drunk driver injures himself and four others - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Accused drunk driver injures himself and four others

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December 16, 2003

Colquitt County - The story you are about to read makes drinking and driving a reality. On Saturday, an accused drunk driver lost control of his SUV and wrecked. He and his four passengers were injured. As of Tuesday, they all are still in hospital beds, except one passenger.

For the first time, Crystal Daniel is about to see up close the SUV in which she could have died. She cries and looks away.

The 23-year-old was a passenger with an accused drunk driver behind the wheel. She finally looks again at the mangled mess and says, "Flashback, flashback of all of it. Waking up and being terrified. Not knowing where anybody is."

Daniel is bruised with a broken wrist and blood filled eyes, minor injuries compared to the others. She says, "I just don't understand why someone would go that fast."

Her boyfriend, Robbie Olliff, is in serious condition and had to have brain surgery. His sister, Jessica Weldon, explains, "He's still unresponsive. It's still a life or death situation."

Their cousin, 37-year-old Shane Olliff, is accused of drinking and driving and speeding. Weldon adds, "Hurt and angry and upset."

The Jeep Cherokee flipped at least eight times on this hill on Ellenton-Norman Park Road in Colquitt County, in front of Deep Bottom Cemetery. While walking at the crash site, Daniels says, "The more I'm out here, the more I remember."

Daniel remembers pleading to Olliff to slow down. She says, "He says we're probably going 110 if not more."

Olliff's two sons, 13-year-old Gabe and 17-year-old Paul, both have serious injuries, but are in fair condition. The two teens and two male adults were ejected. Daniel says, "I was wearing a seat belt."

As Daniel continues to recover, she will be thinking of the others still in the hospital.

Shane Olliff is charged with DUI and remains hospitalized.

posted at 5:40PM by kathryn.simmons@walb.com