Three generations of one family were tragically taken from this world May 30 when a drunk driver swerved into the path of their vehicle and claimed five precious lives - all members of the same family. Sadly, yet another member of that family involved in the crash passed away over the weekend. (June 2-3)

As if this family, the remaining survivors of it, were not already to the brink of their grieving limit...they have lost another.

The incomprehensible burden of pain and suffering their loved ones will have to bare...is staggering.

I compare understanding that magnitude of grief to treading water while holding up the Titanic with one hand...impossible.

Nearly as heinous, is the discovery that this was not this drunk driver's first DWI charge. It's the third time he's been arrested for the offense.

Brett Gerald, 30, of 12196 La. 10, Greensburg, I believe suffered only minor injuries and had been out celebrating his birthday when he hit the family head on in East Feliciana Parish on Hwy. 67 near Hwy. 412. His BAC was 0.15...nearly twice the legal limit.

What's so unfortunate, so hard to wrap my brain around, is how he was able to drive, still, after three prior drunk driving arrests. Why? Who is to blame?

Gerald's family posted his bail - more than $256,000 to get him out of jail.

Why was he even given bail? Technically, I suppose this man could still find a car and drive while intoxicated...yet again.

At least, that was the case until the sixth family member died over the past weekend, and Gerald was re-arrested and his charges amended.

His bond hearing has been set for Tuesday, June 12.

I wonder if anyone has ever protested at a bond hearing... I wonder if Gerald could potentially be released back out into society if he's given the opportunity to make bail. Again.

Could a judge really let this man back onto our roadways without any restrictions or barriers from innocent drivers?

Gerald, it seems, suffers from the disease of alcoholism and needs help. And while it is also very sad that his family may only get to see him from behind bars for a long time to come, some will call it justice.

But is there any real justice to be found here?

What would make the other family's immeasurable suffering bearable? Seeing Gerald serve time for the rest of his life?Regardless of what may happen to him legally, he's got a lifetime sentence. A lifetime of knowing that he took lives on his birthday. How ironic and what a cruel twist of fate!

Only the other family's faith in God and knowing, believing, as hard as it may be at times, that God has a plan for their loved ones lost.

Therefore, we must turn to our state laws and work together to make them tougher concerning drunk and impaired drivers. We must work to prevent tragedies like these from ever happening in the first place.

I urge you to write to your state representatives, congressmen and senators and insist on tougher laws for driving while impaired, driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence...

Our lives may very well depend on it!