"A Christmas Carol" forever changed

I have seen Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" many times. On Saturday December 23, 2006 I went to see it at the Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley City, Utah. My mother-in-law had purchased tickets for our whole family to see one of the performances that day.

The Hale Centre Theatre has the stage set up in the center of all the seats. Everyone had an excellent, almost personal, view of the actors.

The man acting the part of Mr. Scrooge was fantastic as he brought to life a man on the cusp of a major life changing transformation. But this was not what changed this story for me.

Bob Cratchet, the employee of Mr. Scrooge and father of Tiny Tim, was played by a very convincing Gary Ceran. But it was not his performance that stood out as pivotal as this story plays out.

It was what happened after the performance, when the lights were dimmed, the stage swept, and the actors and stage crew left for home, that changes this story for me.

According to the Deseret News:

Shortly before 2:30 a.m. Sunday, [they] were driving home from a Christmas party when they were struck by an allegedly drunken driver who police say ran a red light at the intersection of 5400 South and 700 West. The impact killed Cheryl [Gary's wife] and Ian [their 15-year old son] instantly. Julinna [their 7-year old daughter] was flown to Primary Children's Medical Center but also died from her injuries a short time later.

Carlos R. Prieto, 24, who was not seriously injured, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of three counts of vehicular homicide, all third-degree felonies.

Police could smell a strong odor of alcohol on Prieto, according to a report from the Salt Lake County Jail, and noticed "bloodshot and glassy eyes."

"Prior to the arrest of defendant, Prieto admitted to drinking five beers," the report stated.

Officers also administered a nystagmus test, a field sobriety test used by checking a driver's eyes, which he failed. Prieto was driving on an expired license. This was his third DUI arrest, according to jail records.

I wonder what "Spirit" (not alcoholic) promptings Carlos Prieto might have had in an attempt to redirect his life. And what might have happened had he heeded their warnings.

As for me, I will never be able to see, read or listen to A Christmas Carol without remembering Gary Ceran's performance or the tragedy that hit his family that night.