NH Man Driving To Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting Killed By Alleged Drunk Driver
SOMERSWORTH, N.H. (CBS) – It's the irony of how 61-year-old Reed Hindle was killed that makes his story so tragic.
Hindle was struck down by an accused drunk driver while he was riding his cherished Harley Davidson motorcycle to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in Somersworth, N.H.
His sister Meredith Patrick was helping him on the road to sobriety.
"Alcohol got to him in the end, but not by his own doing. I just see all these things, important things falling into line and then gone, it's awful," Patrick told WBZ-TV.
Hindle's family says he had been battling demons and addiction his entire life, moving frequently and having trouble holding a job.
That all changed in the last few years before his chance encounter with accused drunk driver 57-year-old Scott Berry, who police say was behind the wheel of a pickup truck that struck and killed Hindle.
Hindle had even reconnected with his daughter Nicole Kearbey, who says her father was making amends.
"My father worked so hard to be a better person, to be not 'that' person. He loved his motorcycles and was loving being at peace," said Kearbey.
According to police, Berry said he drank three beers and smoked some marijuana before the accident.
Family and friends now believe Berry is someone Reed Hindle might have been able to help.
"He needs help just like my brother did, because my brother very easily could have done the same thing," said Meredith Patrick.
Rick Gerbrands knows well the helping hand of Reed Hindle, who he credits with encouraging him to stay in recovery, using his own difficult experience to mentor others.
"One of the first nights I met him early in my recovery he put his hand out and said welcome. He made me feel welcome," said Gerbrands, who would have seen Hindle at an AA meeting this week.
He said participants held a moment of silence.
"It's upsetting because he's very involved with the community. Not having him around is very painful," Gerbrands said.
Hindle's family now hopes his death sends a strong message about the dangers of drinking and driving, and his decision to take a different road.
Berry is jailed on drunken driving and negligent homicide charges and is being held on $10,000 bail.
