Coverage of fatal accident criticized

On behalf of the accident survivor and his extended family scattered throughout the country, I would like to say that we are all struck by the insensitivity and lack of tact of coverage of the accident claiming the life of Amy Farrell and injuring Kevin Dinning.

The article displays a tendency toward sensationalism in its use of inflammatory phrases — like “freak accident,” “tragedy strikes,” and “…must now live with the memory of that fateful night” — which serve only to over-dramatize the situation and de-sensitize the reader to the very real circumstances surrounding this unfortunate event.

Perhaps the more appropriate phrase to describe it is not so much “tragedy” as “trauma,” a horrifying event that has affected — and will continue to affect — the lives of those surrounding the two people involved in the accident for many years to come.

Believe me when I say that Kevin Dinning and his family have no need for you to tell him in the most morbid of terms that this “fateful night” will haunt him forever.

In addition, implications of investigation — which are not true — and latent accusations of over-consumption of alcohol skew the article from a legitimate report of relevant and appropriate facts into a gossip-mongering attempt to produce juicy details from what is quite simply an inexplicable act of God.

There are two victims in this accident; we have no way of knowing why one walked away and another did not.

And finally, the milking of statements from bereaved friends and family members to puff up the saccharine appeal of this tabloid-style journalism indicates a complete lack of respect for the humanity of all those involved.

The salacious sensationalism of this article is wholly inappropriate to professional reporting, and is particularly offensive in such a small town which is —by nature— closely knit enough for the impact of this impolitic specimen to travel very far, very quickly.

Angela Bennett Segler

New York, N.Y.

Susan Guthrie Bennett

Las Vegas