I had a friend named Melissa Poepping. But she died on November 13th, 1995. She was in a car wreck. Her and 15 year old Catie Modin were just driving around here in Helena, Montana. Norm Sleed, a business man was just driving too, totally drunk. They were on the highway going one way and he was going the other. Unfortunatley, he crossed into there lane and hit them head on.
Norm was driving a Cadillac and Catie was driving a small car. The damage was horrible. They had to get the Jaws Of Life to rescue Melissa and Catie, and even then it took over 30 minutes. Norm suffered a broken ankle, I think. Catie's legs were both completely shattered. But Melissa had very bad head damages. They rushed her to a hospital in Great Falls, where they did a lot of surgery, furthering her life for just a week.
We will all miss her. Catie is just beginning to walk again, although her track is over. I am glad that Catie's life was spared, but Melissa shouldn't have died. I hate Norm Sleed. He supposedly had other DUI's. He is now in Jail, for the next five years.
My question is, why do people have to drink and drive? I lost my uncle in the same way. And the guy that killed him only had one year in jail. Well, Norm may have lost his freedom for awhile, but I have lost my friend forever...
Paige (written April 22, 1996)
Three people were seriously injured Sunday evening in a two-vehicle accident
on Highway 12 E. near East Helena.
According to a Highway Patrol officer at
the scene, one of the injuries appeared to be critical.
From preliminary
information to the accident scene, it appeared that a west-bound Cadillac
crossed the highway's center line on the viaduct just west of East Helena and
ran into an east-bound economy car, the officer said.
The accident happened
about 8:40 p.m.
The cars were so seriously damaged the extrication equipment
was needed to remove the passengers from the vehicles.
More than a dozen
emergency responders from Helena and East Helena were at the scene, but even
with all the help and the Jaws of Life, 30 minutes after the accident, they were
still working to remove the victims from the wreckage.
A Helena girl who was injured in a two-car collision near East Helena on
Nov. 5 died Monday evening at Deaconess Medical Center in Great Falls.
County
Coroner Mickey Nelson said Monday that Melissa Poepping, 15, died just before 7
p.m. of complications from injuries sustained in the wreck.
Deputy County
Attourny Mike Menahan said Poepping's death will prompt a negligent homicide
charge against the driver of the vehicle that crossed the center line on Highway
12 and struck the compact car Poepping was riding in.
Local Realtor Norm
Slead, 47, will be charged at Justice Court today.
If convicted of the
crime, Slead could face a maximum of 10 years in Montana State Prison and/or a
$50,000 fine.
Menhahan said his office believes alcohol was a factor in the
accident. Eye witnesses at the scene of the wreck said Slead appeared
intoxicated, Menahan said.
KTVH television news, quoting unidentified
sources, reported last week that Slead had a blood alcohol level of .25. A
person with a blood alcohol level of .10 is considered legally intoxicated in
the state of Montana.
Menahan said once chareges are filled against Slead
his blood test results would be available to the county attorney's office.
Poepping's
friend and the driver of the car, Catie Moden, 15, was also injured in the
accident and remains in stable condition at St. Peter's Community Hospital.
Poepping
was a sophmore at Helena High.
Helena man accused of causing a car wreck Nov. 5 that killed one Helena High
student and seriously injuired another was charged with negligent homicide in
Justice Court Tuesday.
Realtor Norm Slead, 47, faces a maximum of 10 years
in Montana State Prison and/or $50,000 fine in connection with the death of
Melissa Poepping, 15.
Poepping died Monday evening in the Deaconess Medical
Center in Great Falls of massive head injuries sustained when Slead's Cadiillac
slammed head-on into a compact car in which Poepping was a passenger.
Slead,
who appeared in court Tuesday on crutches with a cast on his leg, also was
charged with negligent vehicular assault, a misdemeaner, in relation to the
injuries substained by Catie Moden, 15, driver of the vehicle Slead's car hit.
Moden remains in stable condition in St. Peter's Community Hospital.
In
addition, Slead has been charged with driving without automobile insurance.
His policy apparently had expired one month before the accident occured.
Judge
Wallace Jewell told Slead in court that he had been "laboring" over
whether to slap him with a high bond or to allow him to remain in the community
on his own recognizance since he read about the accident shortly after it
happened.
Jewell said his heart led him to want to set the maximum bond the
law would allow, but reason took over and he considered Slead's close ties to
the community and determined he isn't a flight risk.
"This has been the
most difficult decision I have ever made since I have been a judge," he
said.
In order to avoid incarceration before his trial, Slead must adhere
to several rules, Jewell said.
For example, he will not be allowed to drive a car or use alcohol or drugs
without a prescription.
In addition, Slead must be at home between the hours
of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
The judge said he would personally call and check to
make sure the defendant is complying with the terms of his release.
Slead's
attorney, Nick Jacques, said Slead, a member of the Optimist Club and other
volunteer orginizations, is "just devastated" by what has happpened.
He
said Slead, who has a 15-year-old daughter of his own, "wishes he could tak
e it all back" and is "just trying to search his way through this as
best as he can."
A Preliminary hearing date has been set for the case
of Dec. 1 at 3 p.m.
According to court documents, Slead's vehicle entered
the east-bound lanes of Highway 12 about one mile west of East Helena heading
west and crashed into the compact car carrying the two teenagers which was
traveling east in the proper lane.
Court documents say that the county
attorneys office has not yet received results of a blood test done on Slead to
determine his blood/alcohol content from the state crime lab.
However, the
document said that one of the Highway Patrol officers present at the wreck said
Slead appeared intoxicated and other witnesses said Slead smelled of alcohol.
In
addition, Slead had left an East Helena bar where he had apparently sat for
several hours shortly before the accident took place.
He was convicted of a
DUI, and a hit-and-run in City Court in November 1989.
Families of the girls
were unavailable for comment Tuesday afternoon.
Melissa A. Poepping, 15, of 3470 Weston Street, Helena, died Nov. 13, 1995,
at the Deaconess Medical Center in Great Falls as the result of a car accident
on Nov. 5, 1995.
Melissa was born June 2, 1980, in Butte to Rob Poepping and
Debbie Boes. She was adopted by her paternal grandparents, Will and Joyce
Poepping on April 3, 1984. They resided in Helena. Melissa attended the East
Helena Grade School and then Helena High School where she was a sophmore at the
time of her death. She participated in several school activites including band,
student council and sports.
She was involved with the Assembly of God Chruch
in Helena and was active in the Missionettes and youth groups.
Melissa is
survived by her birth parents, Rob Poepping and Debbie Boes of Washington State;
her adopted parents, Will and Joyce Poepping; her maternal grandmother, Shirley
Sullivan and her husband James of Butte; maternal great grandparents, Helen and
John Hettick of Albany, Ore; her paternal great grandparents, Georgie and Dean
DaVault of Helena. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and
friends.
Melissa was truly loved very much by family and friends, she will
be greatly missed.
Visitation for Melissa will be Friday at Retz Funeral
Home from noon to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be Saturday, Nov. 18, at 2:30
p.m. at the First Assembly of God Chruch, 2210 Dodge Avenue with Pastor Scott
Walberg officiating. Interment will be Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A
memorial fund has been set up in Melissa's name, c/o First Assembly of God, 2210
Dodge, Avenue, Helena, 59601
The Famly of
wish to express deepest and most sincere appreciation to the
Helena community and individuals who reached out to us in our time of sorrow.
Due
to the overwhelming amount of condolences we received, it is immpossible to
respond to each one personally.
Our heartfelt gratitude is extended to you
all.
Thank You & May God Bless each of you.
Will & Joyce
Poepping
Melissa Poepping's adoptive mother said in District Court in Helena
Wednesday all she has left of her daughter are photos and memories.
Highway
Patrol Officer Mike Swingley testified he never knew Poepping, but he will
always remember her and the absolute devastation he discovered last year when he
responded to the car wreck that took her life and seriously injured her friend,
Catie Moden, both then 15.
Norm Slead, 47, the man who pleaded guilty
earlier this year to drinking and driving and causing the accident, which took
place on the overpass near East Helena, said that every time he looks at his own
daughters, he will be reminded of the wreck and the sorrow he caused for the
families of his victims.
"I'm responsible for this accident," he
said tearfully. "I am responsible for all the pain that is in this room
today."
District Court Judge Dorothy McCarter sent the message to the
community that she doesn't want anyone to forget the tragedy that can result
when people drink and get behind the wheel of a car.
She sentenced Slead to
10 years with the Department of Corrections with five years suspended for his
involvement in the death of Poepping and to one year in the Lewis and Clark
County Jail suspended for causing the injuries of Moden.
But, she said the
real sentance is going to be that Slead will have to live with these tragedies
on his mind.
"Being a prominent member of this community doesn't
minimize the seriousness of this offense," McCarter said to Slead, who was
a local real estate agent and a member of various service clubs.
McCarter
said she believes it is important Slead remain under the supervision of the
Department of Correction services after he is released from prison, prerelease
or whatever program the department deems apropriate, so he can have help
maintaining his sobriety, thus protecting the public saftey.
She said that
on release, Slead must follow some very strict rules including no drinking, no
going to bars and no driving unless absolutly necessary.
Several witnesses,
including Slead's wife, testified they believe Slead is up to the challenge and
has, in fact, made several strides toward controlling his alcoholism and putting
his life back together.
The state probation and parole officer who
interviewed Slead before his sentencing, Lori Moore, had a less positive out look
on his progress.
She said she believed that while he had started along the
road to healing, he sometimes slipping into taking responsiblity for the
accident out of his hands and putting it into the realm of God's will.
Moore
testified she believed a period at Montana State Prison would serve as a "reality
check" for Slead.
Deputy County Attorney Carolyn Clemens said she hoped
the case would act as a reality check for the entire community.
She said in
a society that has decided a fourth drinking and driving conviction a felony,
Slead should not go unpunshed for ending the life of a teenager and dramatically
changing the life of another in a drunk driving accident.
Clemens said she
at least hoped Slead would be punished so Moden, who was completely innocent in
the wreck, could stop blaming herself for the death of Poepping.
Family
members of Moden, Poepping, and Slead cried alike in court Wednesday, and
perhaps it was the words of Poepping's grandfather, Jim Sullivan, that were the
most telling about the entire tragedy.
"I know that when we walk out of
the courtroom there will be no winners here," he said.
The court gave
Slead until Monday to get his affairs in order at which time he will turn
himself over to law enforcement.
My most fondest thoughts, and tenderness dreams. Oh how I'll miss you, and
mourn to the deepest reaches of my soul for the loss I feel.
The love we
share is so pure and true... found only once in a lifetime.
I am so hurt I
fear I will never recover from the loss
I feel right now.
I want to
thank you, sweetheart, for being such a wonderful daughter, and closest friend.
The
love we share is so special; you will always be so very near to me.
Thank
you for always being so patient and so understanding with your love so
unconditional.
You were always my proudest moments, my deepest tenderness.
You've
made each and every day brighter, every tomorrow worth waiting for.
You've
made my life, and the lives of so many others, a very special place to be.
You
have always given me such joy, and now, my deepest sorrow.
I have always
welcomed and enjoyed the wonderfully special and loving feelings you've given
me.
That is why I have welcomed this deep, deep, pain of losing you.
It
will always remind me of how very much you are truely loved, and greatly missed.
The
greatest pain, and deepest regrets in my life is, and always will be, losing
you.
I'll miss you forever and ever Princess!
Love, your Daddy
In Loving Memory of
Melissa Ann Poepping
June 2, 1980 November 13, 1995
Butte Montana
Great Falls Montana
Funeral Services
First Assembly Of God
Saturday, November 18, 1995
two-thirty
o'clock p.m.
Clergyman: Pastor Scott Walberg
Music
Solo: "On Eagle's Wings" Faith Kemp
Solo: "Turn
Your Eyes Upon Jesus" Jill Guthrie
Organist: Michele Walberg
Bearers
Matthew Barrey Pat Songer Bill Kemp
Joe Miller Cory
Schwenk Amanda Schwenk
Please join the family and friends in fellowship for a
luncheon being
served in the social center of the
chuch immediatly following this service
Even though my whole life, was but a small piece of yours,
I'll be with
you always, on each mornings shore,
I will always hold each, and every
memory dear,
and greet each one, as they follow me here,
PLEASE, -Hold
your heads up, don't do it like this.
A new star will be born, "My
Eternity's Kiss."
Rick Poepping 11/14/1995
If you're alone and feeling low
There's somewhere special you can go.
Even
though it's small in size
It's safe and quiet, please realize.
Look inside the depths of your heart
For that is where the healing will
start.
Within your heart is where we treasure
The untold memories
without measure.
We reminisce days gone by
Quietly we begin to cry.
With sorrow now,
we bow our head
Don't stop those tears you now shed.
Let them flow down your cheeks
Listen close as your heart speaks.
Think
of the special times you've had
Ponder them, not the sad.
Remember the twinkle in her eye
Remember the sound of her little sigh.
Remember
the way her smile she'd send
Remember the way she'd call you friend.
Don't think one day you might forget her
Whenever your sad, lonely,
remember
You have a place set apart
It's that special spot within your
heart.
Her memory will live on in there
For now, she's in God's great care.
Through
this poem may you find
That only God gives PEACE of mind.
Written in loving memory of Melissa Poepping
by Connie Jerome
The question of life,
So be it, or let it be?
Only
given one then,
Sent off to be free.
Again the question of life,
Is
this how it's supposed to be?
Or is my critical condition
Just a
fantasy?
I ask these questions
Because my life is at stake.
On
account of maybe.
Some of my mistakes.
My precious thing
Is almost
gone
And I'm in misery,
Because I'm afraid
My life may not go on.
Only
fifteen and everything
Has happened so fast.
Now my eyes are open wide
to the world
And I want my life to last.
Once more and maybe the last,
The
question of life,
Do I just lay here
And let it pass?
God I'm trying
to fight
As hard as I can.
I hope everyone
Can understand.
Well
it's done now
My time is up.
Perhaps maybe,
It was for the best.
I
tried so very hard
I put myself to the test.
I'm happy now
And I'm
free.
But still value
Your life
Because you only get one,
Not two.. not three.
In loving memory of Melissa Ann Poepping 1980-1995
By
Angie Susag
You had many dreams,
dreams of this night,
dreams
of this wreck,
you knew it was coming,
you told me.
I could have done something,
I could have prevented
this,
You should have left with me,
but an argument kept us apart,
apart forever!
Leaving you minutes before,
not knowing what was in
store,
If only I'd known,
I would have said so many things,
I would have told you I loved you.
I passed him on the road,
but I didn't know,
I
looked in my rearview mirror,
You were there,
And then you
weren't.
I lie in bed thinking of you,
Thinking of the many
memories we shared,
Memories,
Is this all I have left?
How
could this be!
In disbelief,
I stood and watched you in Great Falls,
Waiting for you to wake up,
Thinking you may never,
Watching
you slip away.
I would have helped you if I could,
I prayed to God to
let you live,
To take me instead,
You didn't deserve this,
You
did nothing.
I watched a tear run down your face,
You squeezed my
hand and moved your elbow,
was that a sign?
Were you saying
goodbye?
Or was God taking you at that very moment?
Why,
Why your life,
Why not his,
that's
all I want to know,
Why? My question will be left unanswered.
Friendships with stand the most greatest tasks,
so I
will meet with you again,
someday,
someday in Heaven,
But
until then, I will say goodbye,
You will never leave my most precious
thoughts,
You're in my heart to stay,
Forever!
but, how
long is Forever?
by: Kari Langley.
Well, I'm sorry to all of you if you found this story sad =/ It is a very very sad story.. and I still miss her lots.. I don't think of her as often as I used to.. and I almost feel guilty, which I know I shouldn't.. But like now, when I'm thinking of her.. I just cry... and reading all this stuff is making me cry :) But.. it's a good cry in a way.. I remember all of our good times together.. At her house.. while skipping school *Sad smile* She was a great person.. She really was.. Fun loving, and very cool to be with.. *smile* I miss her. And I probably always will. And I've always wanted the world to know about her. She's in my signature in my emails. And she's now on my webpage. I have a folder full of newspaper clippings and stuff. And she's in my heart. From now and forever.. If you have any comments on this page, please let me know. Email me. I hope to hear from people. And another thing.. don't drink and drive please.. Thanks for taking the time to read this.. I hope in some small way Melissa can touch your heart like she did mine.
And to let you know about Norm.. he spent a very short time in prison.. He was there about one year before they let him go.. the only satisfaction one can have, is he lost his business.. Actually.. two days after Melissa died.. i was late to school.. and I had to walk.. and 4 houses down my street.. was a sign.. "Norm Realities" I lost it.. I kicked it as hard as i could, and I ripped it out and threw it in a dumpster.. *laugh* sounds funny now.. But i was so mad. I couldn't think. And that was the last thing I needed to see at that time. Oh well.. if I ever run into Norm.... Well, he just better hope I never do.
Paige Mandera 4-3-97
Well it's been a long long time now. Over 2 and a half years. Life goes on, and people get over things. Even to the point where some of the people most upset over Melissa are now themselves out drinking and driving. Will it ever end? I don't know. I just hate to see it happen again. I don't think about Melissa as often.. we talk about her sometimes, when something comes up about the old days.. sometimes she just slips into normal conversation. I guess we'll always have that, forever. Though as time passes it seems to be less and less that I think of her. But I'll never forget her. Anyhow, I just felt the need to write. I think I'll try to get some pictures scanned of her and Catie =)
5/28/98 Paige Mandera
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last updated: 5/28/98