GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -
Although nothing can bring their son back, the parents of a man killed by an alleged drunk driver say tougher DUI laws could spare another family their pain. Alan Turk died Monday when his motorcycle was hit by a truck.
The driver of the truck has been charged with DUI Causing Death. Hundreds of people said goodbye to Turk on Saturday, and they had a message to those who get behind the wheel intoxicated.
Mourners gathered at St. James Baptist Church in Gulfport said Turk was a free spirit who would give you the shirt off his back. His death is especially hard on the five children who must now grow up without a father.
"You don't know how emotional I feel inside," said Aiyana Turk. "Like I have a smile on my face, but inside I'm crushed."
Turk was riding his motorcycle on Highway 49 near Airport Road on Monday when police say an alleged drunk driver crossed a center concrete divider and slammed into him. Turk's parents said 39 years ago they never imagined they'd have bury their first born.
His mother Ruby Turk said, "You never want your child to have a tragic death or a violent death. It just hurts me that his passing had to be tragic."
Turk's family members said along with their grief is the burden of knowing this didn't have to happen. They want stiffer penalties for DUI offenders.
"From my point of view as a retired policeman, I am really appalled that this happened to my son," said Alan Turk, Sr. "I know I can't stop it. It's been an ongoing thing before I was born. It's going to be going on as long as the laws permit that type of action and don't take more drastic measures against that. The government should take a stronger stance on drunk drivers."
Eric Turk still remembers the helplessness he felt when from 1,000 miles away he received the call that his brother was dead. He's calling on everyone to do their part to stop drunk driving.
"If anybody is out and you just happen to notice a car weaving or anything, you know, call," said Eric Turk. "Get them off the road. Don't let nobody go out drinking like that. Take their keys. Drive them home. Call them a cab. Do something. It hurts so many people from one small act that somebody could have prevented."
For Aiyana Turk and her brothers and sisters it will be a lifetime of birthdays, weddings and graduations without their father to share the special moments.
"This man will never know the damage he has done on someone's family," said Aiyana Turk. "That little amount of fun can cause a whole lifetime of pain for someone else."
Alan Turk was a former Seabee and will be buried on Monday at Biloxi National Cemetery. After leaving the military, he worked as a certified mechanic.
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