Injured man to ride bike to raise awareness of drunk driving
Published 12:00 am Monday, April 30, 2012
By Sarah Campbell
scampbell@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Lee Cooper will pull out of the Kmart parking lot at 6:50 a.m. sharp Wednesday morning to set out on his bicycle trek to Wilmington.
The 36-year-old Salisbury man is pedaling the more than 200 miles for a purpose — to raise awareness about drinking and driving.
Cooper knows firsthand what can happen when someone decides to get behind the wheel drunk.
He lost his wife, Lisa Marie Cooper, and unborn child in a drunk driving accident in 1993.
And although he survived, Cooper sustained a traumatic brain injury that impairs his speech. He also has physical. limitations including nerve damage in his legs and hands.
“I want people to realize what I go through on a daily basis after being hit by a drunk driver,” he said. “I want them to see the impact, my struggles and understand the pain I go through.”
The back of Cooper’s bike will have a sign with the message “Stop, Think, & Give up your keys before you take a life,” attached.
Read more about Cooper’s ride in Tuesday’s Post.