Renee Napier, Mother Of Drunk-Driving Accident Victim Meagan Napier, Forgives DUI Killer Eric Smallridge

By forgiving her daughter's killer, one mother is proving that love and compassion can save lives, Naples News reports.

Nearly a decade ago, Eric Smallridge was driving drunk in Pensacola, Fla., when he lost control of his car and struck another vehicle, instantly killing 20-year-olds Meagan Napier and Lisa Dickson.

Convicted of DUI manslaughter, Smallridge has spent most of the past decade in a jail cell.

When Renee Napier, Meagan's mother, heard the news of her daughter's accident, she said the grief was incomprehensible.

"The wailing and crying that comes from the depths of your soul," she recalled to ABC News last year. "The pain is so horrible."

Napier then made it her life's mission to prevent more unnecessary deaths like Meagan's. Dedicated to her daughter and her friend Lisa, Napier founded The Meagan Napier Foundation for DUI awareness.

For many years, Napier would organize events around Florida, speaking about the dangers of driving under the influence, moving thousands of people with her story.

But, as she told ABC News, she kept feeling like something was missing.

"I knew from the beginning that if I could have Eric with me -- that would be very powerful," she said.

Napier lobbied to have Smallridge join her in her presentations -- and since 2010, the two have formed the unlikeliest of partnerships as they rally around a common cause, Gulf Breeze News reports.

"I never thought I'd be wearing this striped suit. I was ten feet tall and bulletproof," Smallridge, wearing a prison jump suit and shackles, told a group of Baron Collier High School students in Naples, Fla., this week. "Make it a point not to be [me]. Don't reduce your life to shackles and chains."

During the presentations, Napier shares her story and screens this video about her daughter and Smallridge, appealing to students to promise never to drink and drive.

Though she has said that she cannot forget, Napier says that she has forgiven Smallridge for killing her child.

"I could be angry, hateful and bitter," Napier said. "But I didn’t want to live my life that way. There was no way I could move on and live a happy life without forgiving Eric."

Napier has said that she has grown to love Smallridge and his family and now considers him to be like a "son" to her.

Smallridge was initially expected to be released in 2022, but Napier lobbied to cut his prison sentence in half. He is now due to be released in November.

"I didn't want him serving too long so that he would leave with a criminal mind," she said.

Smallridge will be 34 when he is released. He told Naples News that even though Napier has forgiven him, he doesn't know if he'll ever forgive himself.

"I was so selfish because I never considered what effect drinking and driving could have on someone other than me. I made a bad decision, and now two young people are dead because of it," he told Gulf Breeze High School students in 2010. He has said that he has no intention of drinking alcohol ever again.

Though they admit that their relationship may confuse many, both agree that sharing this life-saving cause has helped them heal.

"Whenever I see Renee Napier, I just see an angel," Smallridge told ABC News.

"We live in a world with a lot of pain and heartache, I want to promote love and forgiveness and help break that cycle of hatred," said Napier.

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Comments

[George McAulay]

05:29 PM on 01/14/2013

I'm guessing that what she sees it boiling down to is that two lives have been lost and by helping him in this way she is unselfishly stopping another from being lost.

I don't think she's unhealthy in her mind, I just think she's a bigger person than me and many others to forgive this way.

Kudos to her, I hope good karma comes her way

[idontknowitall]

07:58 PM on 05/29/2012

It is one thing to forgive but quite another to want that person with you and to be there on stage to hug you. She has the car brought in? Really? Either she is the most physiologically healthy human ever or something is really wrong with her. I am going with the latter. .

[capshockeygrl28]

05:44 PM on 04/24/2012

thank you for sharing this story. she is a very strong woman.

[OLEGAR]

11:22 AM on 04/24/2012

THANKSGIVING DAY 1986 The day a careless driver turned his utility truck across two lanes and took my son's life. He was just two blocks from his house and ready for a trip to our family gathering. I still feel the void and enormous hurt our extended family endured. I doubt I would have the personality to do what this lady has done. People have much different reactions to these senseless events cause by careless individuals.

I tell people who are grieving over lost sons and daughters, or other family members, taken way too early . ."You will never forget, but as each day passes - - the pain will not be as bad". RIP my son . .

[Chaplain Karrina]

11:43 PM on 04/23/2012

Many Blessings to both of these families. By granting forgiveness & showing an amazing amount of grace, this duo will have an incredible impact on everyone they speak to...

[Paula Merenz]

04:50 PM on 04/23/2012

What a wonderful story about love and forgiveness. It's good to know that some people still practice grace, forgiveness and love.

May God bless this family until they meet again.

[Lindsgrace33]

12:37 PM on 04/23/2012

This is a very moving story. I am shocked at how loving and forgiving the woman is being towards her child's killer. I know I for one would never be able to do what she has done. But this is an amazing story, thanks for sharing it. I hope their story affects others and will open peoples eyes- drinking and driving never mix. Rest in peace Meagan and Lisa.

[HarleyOpenRoad]

08:55 AM on 04/23/2012

Too bad this story isn't the main, but then again, it is very, very positive.

"Positive" is not controversial and does not generate the page views and clicks needed to make a profit here.

[smlyttle]

07:20 AM on 04/23/2012

It's really something to see, or read, someone break the circle of hate and reach out a hand to the one who hurt you. I honestly can't say I could do the same, but the fact a mother like her can might help others to think for a second. Not saying everyone should be pardoned out right, but if there is a true desire for penance and forgiveness then that person should get the chance.

[money82]

06:37 AM on 04/23/2012

I understand the loss of a child it is so very hard. I am very thankful she forgave the mission they are doing may save so many lives God bless them all never stop never give up for your children.

[redheaded stranger]

10:44 PM on 04/22/2012

Nice to see some people evolving. What wonderful news. :)

[vaygollybum]

09:17 PM on 04/22/2012

She is "a better man than I am, Gunga Din". I don't know if I could be thatf forgiving, but I hope so.

[Shakespeares-Galpal]

08:00 PM on 04/22/2012

As a mother of four children, this brought tears to my eyes.

"The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown;
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice."
Portia -- The Merchant of Venice

[cleylol]

07:49 PM on 04/22/2012

This moved me to tears. Love conquers all, folks, if we allow it to.

[rewith85man]

06:21 PM on 04/22/2012

I could understand why she forgave him.

But, what if he intentionally killed her kids? Would she still forgive him and cause his jail/prison sentence to be reduced?

If he was a serial killer, rapist, or so, I would make sure that he rot in the cell for life.

[cleylol]

07:50 PM on 04/22/2012

Perhaps she would forgive him, but not form a relationship.

[JustLucky]

10:21 PM on 04/22/2012

I've seen several situations covered in tv shows or articles where mothers did forgive intentional killers and actually helped them through their own agony over what they'd done. It was very healing for the mothers.