Pocono News Section

Drunk driving death case heads to trial

Drunk driving death case heads to trial - Monday, March 3, 2008 at 7:06PM EST

Monday, Mar 3, 2008 @07:06pm EST

A promising college graduate, hired as a teacher, whose life was cut short.

Shannon Sullivan of Pine Grove died in a drunk-driving accident in August 2006.

Now her former boyfriend is on trial.

Sullivan’s friends are still mourning her loss.

Amy Miller of Pine Grove says, “Just devastating to us. There's nothing good that comes out of drinking and driving."

Amy Miller share's the pain of losing Sullivan with her longtime friends.

Sullivan was supposed to be a bridesmaid in Miller's wedding, but died the night before.

She died in a drunk driving accident here in Hegins Township in August 2006.

Police say her boyfriend, Neil Hatfield was behind the wheel.

Kelly Spittle of Pine Grove says, "A lot of people around our town are losing sight of what we lost. and i think that's the hardest thing that people need to remember what was lost in all of this."

What was lost was a promising life.

Sullivan was a standout volleyball player at pine grove high school.

She went on to star on the Kutztown University squad.

Katrice Kimmel of Pine Grove says, "She was just a great friend, a great person. She had a lot to offer."

Elena Moyer of Pine Grove says "She was a great person inside and outside. She was a beautiful person, would do anything for you. "

Sullivan's friends say she just landed a job as a teacher, one of her life long dreams.

But those dreams were cut short, and now a memorial sits where her life tragically ended.

This trial is expected to last about 3 days.

If convicted, Hatfield could face 3 years in prison.