Letter to the Editor

Speed killed my baby sister

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Dear editor,

Hello. My name is Laurie. I lost my baby sister on July 11, 2015, at mile marker 103 on I-84.

Her name was Danielle Rictor. She was 23 years old.

I did not know what the speed limit was in Idaho. If I had known I would have told her to not worry about keeping up with the 80 MPH until she felt comfortable. I would have stressed that the right lane is where she should have stayed.

She had just moved from Oregon to Idaho less than two weeks before her death. I know without a shadow of a doubt that it was the speed limit in Idaho that took her life.

It saddens me that anyone would think this was a good idea? Everyone knows that the "posted" MPH gives a lot of people a green light to go over it by 15-20 MPH.

There should be more thought to raise these limits. Especially for people who come from states where our highest normal speed limit is 55 MPH. Dani was not ready for this , although she was 23 , she had only been driving just over a couple years.

I would not feel comfortable driving at these speeds, and I've been driving for over 30 years!

I would love to know the actual statistics on the ages of people in accidents at these high speeds along with the difference in fatality at these speeds.

I would like everyone to know Dani was a great person! She loved animals , and helping people. She had moved to Idaho to "start her independent life." She had her dogs, RayJ and Lacy, in the car with her. They both survived and were unscathed. They were her life and she always called them her babies!

Dani was also on the Autism spectrum. When she was little, doctors and teachers said she would never live independently. Although it wasn't for long, she did do this! Dani was capable and accomplished everything she put her mind to.

She was involved in so many activities that I couldn't even name them all . But she never believed she couldn't do something! I just want to leave you with this: Tattooed on her arm was a puzzle piece, a symbol of autism. Written below it, it said, "look beyond the autism, and you will see someone special."

I don't want her death to be in vain! Please help figure out a safer way to drive! No one can stop and smell the roses going 80! But they can surely die!

RIP Danielle Kristine Rictor, 7-11-15. I miss you forever.

-- Laurie Rictor Palmer,

Portland, Ore.