Devin Lehman O'Neal

killed by a hit and run driver at the age of 6

Wisconsin attorney Eric A. Stearn had prior convictions for drunk driving in 1990, 1992, 1997 and 1999. It was sometime between his second and third conviction that little Devin Lehman-O'Neal was born to Tina Lehman-O'Neal and Michael Scheffler.

December 7, 2002 looked to be just another day in the lives of 50 year old Eric, and 6 year old Devin. Stern had bought some liquor, gone to a barbecue at the Alliant Center, and had decided to drive somewhere else. Devin had spent the day with his baby sitter, and as 6:30 pm approached, was sitting in the back seat of his baby sitter's car, along with her two daughters, and was headed home, to the grandmother who raised him. The two vehicles were destined to pass one another unnoticed in traffic, except for one missed opportunity. A stop sign.

When the intoxicated Stern blew past the stop sign, his SUV broad-sided a Toyota Corolla, little Eric was ejected from his seat and died shortly thereafter. The baby-sitter and her two children were injured. Instead of rushing to the aide of any of the injured, Stern fled the scene. Arrested soon afterwards, when his vehicle developed mechanical problems, his BAC was measured at 0.193 percent.

Devin was buried  a few days later, and his parents sued the driver and his insurance company. Eventually Stearn would be sentenced to 12 years for homicide by drunken driving, an additional year for injury while drunken driving, and 27 years of extended supervision. For a short while, the death of little Devin touched many who heard of his tragic death. Prisoners from the nearby Fox Lake's Restorative Justice program even raised the money to buy the family a head stone.

Now, 3 years later, very little is found on the internet about this little boy. Just another hit and run victim, except to the few who knew and loved him. We post his photo and story here to remind you of 2 things...

First, drunk driving takes lives
Second, seat belts save lives 

"Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince,
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!"