Ryan Voss

Well, it has been a while since I came on here. This whole process has just been painful and after a while, it hurt too much to come here too.

Over the past 17 months, we have been going to court to hear how sick this guy was and how much he didn't want to die in jail and all the other stuff. It was all about him. Well, we were alerted two weeks before Christmas that he was considering changing his plea.

He stood before the judge today accepted responsibility for killing Dawn. He changed his plea to Guilty.

We will have another status hearing in February to set the Sentencing Hearing. At that point, the judge can give him anything from time served to 12 years. (He originally faced a maximum of 14; that was lowered to 12 as part of the plea)

At that moment I was relaxed. I thought we were finally getting to the end of this ordeal. I have broken down more today since walking out of the court room than I have over the past six months. I am not even sure how I got home from the courthouse.

I miss my sister.

.......... at work. Very touching posts everyone.

I don't want to post any new topics, because this one will not be on the main page of my profile anymore ....

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;#entry39018

Hope you're having a great time in heaven Dawn!!

Thanks for letting me see this post. I heard her voice and saw her smile as I read it.

Please accept my condolences and prayers to you, your family and his.

Maggie: If I see the caravan ... I'll lead the way! I have NEVER felt hatred toward an individual, ever. Until now.

ALL:

It is very obvious that Dawn meant a lot to those she touched within this community. I can tell story after story and never fully explain how much she meant to me and to my entire family and how much hurt I/we have.

We were only 18 months apart in age. She was older. Until she left for college (the first time) we were together every day, literally. We had a connection that was uncanny. We shared similar thoughts. Many people experience DeJaVu, or what they believe DeJaVu is. We occassionally lived what the other dreamt days or weeks earlier. We could never understand it and most never belived us when we told them.

When I say we shared thoughts, We could finish each others sentences with full cognizance of what the original message was meant to be. Many times, we got the idea to call each other at the same time. I would dial her number and she would be picking up to call me and we would start talking even though the phone would never ring and she would do the same to me.

We have felt each others pain before and the day of the crash, I was talking with a co-worker when something came over me and I walked out of my building. (I work in a windowless building located in Downtown Chicago and almost never stop working for lunch, let alone ME time) I walked three blocks East towards the lake, turned South went two blocks. I had no idea what pulled me out. I stood motionless on a bridge over the Chicago River for a few minutes looking up, thinking it was a beautiful day. Finally, I went West then North back to my building. I was gone about 40 minutes. Within a few minutes of my return, I was thrust into a high profile conference call with a municipaility upset with the service our company was providing. The call lasted nearly 90 minutes. My second line rang continuously the last hour, but I do not have Caller ID on that line. As soon as I cleared the first call, I grabbed my second line to hear my wife's voice telling me about the accident.

I cannot say for sure, but I believe that Dawn pulled me out of my building and gave a temporary dose of serenity as she left our world. As far back as I can remember, I felt her presence -- Until that fateful afternoon.

Now, I feel an emptiness in my heart and a hatred in my gut.

I have much more, but cannot go on right now.

Jackie, thanks for the bump.

We went to the courthouse today. After meeting with the states attorney, we were prepared for a long-drug out ordeal. We were informed that he was indicted by a Grand Jury on mulitiple felony charges Tuesday with a maximum jail time of 12 years.

According to the Procesutor, Robert is dying from serosis of the liver and does not want to die in jail (my heart breaks for the POS -- truthfully, I am only saddend that he is being medicated to reduce his pain). When Robert went before the judge, he plead "not guilty" to all of the counts. The prosecutor advised that Robert hired a very good, very expensive lawer with a great record; he further stated that the assigned judge has a mixed history regarding DUI. He has let offenders go with probation in occurences involving deaths and he has assigned maximum sentences. So, we do not know how this will end up.

The defense surprised everyone today; the State, as well as our AAIM & MADD advocates by requesting a speedy trial. The trial will actually begin in September and may only last a couple days. According to all, this is un-heard of. The process is usually drug out through years of continuances.

As Robert was leaving the room, he turned and looked at us then turned away. No remorse in his expression what so ever. His skin was very yellow. It is obvious that his liver is not working properly -- again my heart is bleeding.

It was stated in court and again later by the prosecutor that this was Robert's first offence. I questioned that since the State Police advised us he was a repeat offender with three other counts. The prosecutor advised that in Illinois, he only had one prior DUI arrest, but with no disposition -- which would make this his 2nd in Illinois, but legally, his first offense. He said he will pull records from all other states to see if he had priors out of state as this would change the min-max punishments he could get.

That is all we have until his next court date.

How's Hatem doing? Is he recovering ok? Did he have surgery? Hows mama and the rest of the family? I hope you are all taking quality time for urselves and grieving as you need to enshallah.

amal

I PM'd Jackie to vent a bit last night....I wont share all here, but will say that we had to move Dawn's things over the past two days. She and H lived in an apartment and their landlord was a loser with no conscience who showed our family no compassion. It was the end of the month and he wanted everything out so he could re-rent the apartment.

We spent many hours with Hatem. He is doing better. Like us, he is still taking the loss hard. He will still need more surgeries, but not yet. The docs want the others to heal up a bit more. Physically, he is doing better though.

Mom is still a wreck. My sister and I have our bouts of anger and rely heavily on our children to keep us sane. My sister's daughter is so adorable and she clings to Shannon whenever she is sad or starts crying. My son keeps saying don't be sad, let's play Wii football. How can you stay sad when a 2 and 5 year old remind you that they need you?

They are the best medicine ever created!

Well, good night everyone.

Ryan

I was finally able to visit the site of the crash yesterday. I went with my mom. I followed the marks on the road and down the hill to the point where my sister passed away. I tried to feel her spirt there, but could not. I only felt saddness for our families and anger for the person who so calously got behind the wheel of his car while obnoxiously drunk.

While I was there, a police officer arrived to ask why we were there. After introducing ourselves as the mother and oldest sibling, the officer mentioned that he was the first person on the scene of the crash and was the first to attend to my sister. He provided some details as given by witnesses. I never considered those who watched this occur right before thier eyes. My heart goes out to them. I hope they can be free of that image one day. He also said that he keeps a watch over this spot through his routine travels to make sure the media and scavengers do not go through it. In some way that comforted me.

One bit of information that has been left out of the media: this person tried to flee the scene of the accident. He was detained by winesses and held for the state police.

One of the local papers posted this guy's mug shot. He definately looks like he could be a jerk. I feel no compassion for him and wish him a lifetime so searing pain. This may change one day, but not this day.

Just waiting for the 28th and taking it day by day.

Good night.

My heart goes out to the family and friends involved in this tragic event. After reading some of the news stories, Christa's father is a better man than I am. He forgave his daughter's killer before knowing who it was.

Whether she was planning to leave is immaterial. Cody did the unthinkable. At least he confessed to his actions rather than trying to hide them. Hopefully, this action will lead to a speedy trial and he can begin experiencing the swift justice that is due.

Peace be with the family.

Ryan

$1 million bail for man charged in fatal DUI crash

THE BLOTTER

9:50 AM CDT, June 24, 2008

Bail was set Tuesday at $1 million for a Burbank man who DuPage County prosecutors say had a blood-alcohol level more than four times the legal limit in a fatal crash last week on the Stevenson Expressway.

The passenger in the van that Robert Pas is accused of hitting died.

Pas, 41, of Burbank, was charged Monday with aggravated driving under the influence resulting in the death of another, a charge formerly known as reckless homicide.

Assistant State's Atty. William Wu told Judge Brian Diamond that Pas was driving north on the Stevenson about 11:30 a.m. Monday near Madison Street in Burr Ridge when his speeding car struck the rear of a van, propelling it off the highway.

Dawn Voss-Alshwayit, a passenger in the van, was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. Hatem Alshwayit, the driver and her husband, was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, where he underwent surgery.

Wu said Pas was taken to La Grange Hospital, where his blood-alcohol level was measured one hour after the accident at .33, more than four times the legal limit of .08 in Illinois.

Wu also said an open bottle of vodka was found in Pas' car, and that witnesses told police his vehicle appeared to be swerving before the crash and having difficulty staying in its lane. Hospital personnel reported the defendant was incoherent, Wu added.

At the bond hearing, Pas declined to answer any of Diamond's questions.

Pas is scheduled to be arraigned July 28 before Judge George Bakalis.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/c...0,7840321.story

In Remberence Of Dawn

I never knew you in the real,

Never had the pleasure of your company

Never heard your laugh, or the sound of your voice.

A few short messages on myspace was all we shared,

How sad that I will never have the honor of your company.

Yet, I feel comfortable in calling you a friend,

You were not afraid to reach out across the miles,

Not afraid to give more of yourself than most people do.

Kind words, gentle advice, always something sweet to say.

God chose to take you to your eternal home,

Leaving the ones still here to suffer your absence.

Know that you will not be forgotten,

With each memory, with each day,

You will walk with your friends and family.

Never will you be forgotten.

Rest in Peace Dawn,

Know you were and always will be loved,

and greatly missed.

Your Mena Family and Friends

Tammy: this is absolutely beautiful. I will pass this along to my mom and younger sister. I am sure they will be as touched as I am.

Thank you.

Ryan

I would not recommend the hookah. I did that in Turkey. The tobacco was an apple mix, i think. It tasted very good, but it was difficult talking the next morning.

I will continue to read logs that were made by sister and try to learn more of her interests here (and possibly find ways to continue helping Hatem as I know she would do if she were still here)

Heard today that the "bad man" (as my 5 yr old refers to him) was not able to make bail and is sitting in jail awaiting trial. No news yet on a court date. I will share what I can when I can.

Thank you Ryan for visiting our online community. It was my honor to join your families yesterday for dinner. (Uncle Frank is now HOOKED on Middle Eastern food!)

I hope in time your mother, Shannon and yourself find comfort and strength.

Jackie

I'm not so sure Frank will be hooked, but the meal last night did bring back good memories of my times in Bahrain and Dubai.

Unfortunaly, my wife is allergic to garlic and many other spices...the food was rough on her. I, on the other hand, really enjoyed it.

I have to say that though we had Dawn and Hatem to our home on numerous occassions and we at thiers, our families did not have the opportunity to interact with Hatem's brother and cousins. Over this past week, I saw their pain as ours and wished that we could have shared our time with Dawn together while she was still alive. I am sure she would have take great pleasure in that.

Together and with the help of friends, we will be able to move forward with our lives, keeping Dawn's memory in our hearts.

We have a new mission. Ensuring that the man responsible for this tragedy is brought to justice and also working to prevent other sensless deaths from occuring in other families.

Hello All:

My name is Ryan Voss. Dawn is and will always be my big sister. Many of you have come to know her at this site during her tenuous efforts to bring her husband home to America. I have known her my entire life; she was my best friend and I cannot believe that she is gone. In my last conversation with Dawn, we had made plans for her and Hatem to join my wife, son and I at my house for a BBQ that should have taken place today. Instead, we mourn her loss and pray for Hatem's full recovery.

I met Jackie yesterday at my sister's service. She presented our family with a beautiful floral display and shared stories and experiences that she had with Dawn. Near the end of the service, she explained how Dawn was a cherished member of this on-line community and at a dinner following the service, she provided my mother a printed version of this thread. You should all know that the kind words expressed on this board mean more than our family can describe.

Reading this board, I see that many people were asking whether a charity had been arranged. For those not aware, the accident that took Dawn's life was caused by a drunk driver with a history of DUI offenses. At this time, the family is asking that any financial contributions be made in her name (Dawn M. Voss Al-Shwayat) to our local chapter of M.A.D.D. which can be reached at the following link: http://www.madd.org/IL/NORTHEAST

Thank You.

Ryan