Former Airmen helps others through DUI story

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alex Martinez
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  "I'm not anybody anymore; I'm just a blackout," said former Airman 1st Class Timothy Ollie, as he described the night that according to him, changed his life.

Mr. Ollie went from having a good time at a holiday party last year to a hospital bed.

He was in a car accident caused by driving under the influence of alcohol, and the DUI was his own.

His car was completely destroyed as well as a government vehicle, and the accident caused structural damage to a nearby building.

A base member noticed the accident, pulled Mr. Ollie from the wreckage and called local authorities.

He was rushed to a hospital.

The next day, his first sergeant had to tell him what happened, because he didn't remember.

"I didn't believe him," Mr. Ollie said.

He suffered cuts and bruises.

The consequences for his actions began to unfold, and stretched further than his injuries. He was severely punished. In the end, he was discharged from the Air Force.

He said when he found out he was going to confinement, he thought, "I'm going to jail. My career is over. I screwed up big time."

One would think there is no good that can come out of a story like Mr. Ollie's, but he took responsibility for his actions and wants to help deter others from making the same mistake.

During the time between his accident and dismissal from the Air Force, Mr. Ollie had to attend alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment program classes conducted by the base mental health office.

He attended group meetings every Friday. He said they helped him learn about the harsh consequences of drinking.

"Everything hit me like a ton of bricks," he said. "I was like 'Oh my God, what have I done? Look at all the people I've affected; look at all who I've hurt."'

He wanted to share his story with others, and arranged for the base multimedia office to film him telling his story and answering questions about the accident. The film will be used for future ADAPT classes and the first-term airmen's center drug and alcohol instruction blocks.

"I think the video will be effective because it gives the story of someone around the same age and in the same situation as a lot of young Airmen," said Glenn Garcia, 90th Medical Operations Squadron. "He was a great troop with a great work ethic. And it just goes to show that one slip-up can end a career."

Mr. Garcia said the accident casts light on the fact that Mr. Ollie's wingmen at the holiday party were doing the right thing by watching him and arranging a designated driver, but Mr. Ollie slipped away and drove.

"[The incident] really revealed how much you have to monitor a drinker and the need to take their keys away from them immediately," he said.

Mr. Ollie planned on attending college in pursuit of a degree and making the Air Force a career. But all that came to an end with his mistake.

"No one's invincible," Mr. Ollie said. "You drink and drive, it's going to catch you no matter what."