Merrill Community Helps Heal Drunk Driving Wounds

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Updated: 12:31 PM Mar 6, 2006 Merrill Community Helps Heal Drunk Driving Wounds A local community is helping a young man heal his wounds from a drunk driving accident and spread a message of hope. Posted: 5:09 PM Mar 5, 2006 Reporter: Julie Huck Merrill Community Helps Heal Drunk Driving Wounds

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Family, friends, and strangers gathered at a Merrill restaurant to support 21-year-old Dustin Hinz.

Just five months ago Hinz was in a coma after getting into a car with a drunk driver. Severe head trauma and brain damage left him in a vegetative state, but a month later he began to speak.

Today he wants to share a message with anyone who will listen, especially teens thinking about drinking and driving.

"I just hope that no one would get in a car after seeing what happened to me. I know I look pretty good now, but take a look at the scars; not a pretty sight," says Hinz.

Money from a silent auction and donations from the dinner are helping Dustin's family pay for his recovery. He plans to speak to some local high schools about his experience in May.