When I read a newspaper article I expect to find the facts of an event; to gain information that is untainted by opinions. However, the article (“Dead boy’s father laments loss.” March 4) published about a horrible ATV accident resulting in the death of a local teen provides very few facts. The meat of this article is opinions from one side of the case.

I quickly concluded that I had to come to my brother’s defense. There are always two sides to every story. Isn’t it the reporter’s job to provide factual, fair, and unbiased reports to their readers?

I understand that the things said about my brother are the opinions of a grieving family. But they are misconceptions of who he really is. What happened that night two years ago was a terrible accident and many people are still grieving. No one should have to experience the loss of a child. Understandably, the family wants to blame someone. But the article blurred the lines between the opinions of a grieving family and the facts of that night.

So much of what actually happened and who was involved has been excluded from what the public has been told. Why has the other person not been charged? The woman who let these teens into her home, poured their liquor, and then buckled their helmets before they drove off. Should she not be held responsible?

Steven Rider is not the monster he has been made out to be. He’s quite the opposite. My son has worked alongside Steven since he was 13 years old. I allowed my son to spend every day of his summers with the man who has been labeled a “dregs of society”, and “predator.” Why? Because I knew he would be safe.

Steven has taught my son to work hard, to tolerate frustration, and to take responsibility. My son gets good grades and has more work ethic than any kid I know. This is a child who has grown up with Steven Rider as a role model.

My son is just one example. Steven has children of his own. The five children he has raised over the last 11 years include two that are not biologically his. He stepped up when their fathers did not. Not one of these children has a criminal record. Not one of them has flunked out of school. They are respectful and well-mannered, and they are growing up with Steven as a role model.

These children are hurting though, and they are scared. They hear the opinions about their father and the untrue stories of that night. They have been harassed far too much at both school and home.

The public seems to have forgotten about the other teen, the survivor of this horrific accident. Has anyone given him the opportunity to speak? He’s been kicked off the football team; shunned and abandoned by the coaches who were supposed to be there for support. No one asks how he is doing.

What’s worse is that no one is trying to prevent the same thing from happening all over again. Underage drinking is still a huge problem in our community. Parents and coaches are still turning a blind eye to it.

Steven may have given the boys alcohol on that night, but he certainly did not introduce them to it. As a parent, you have to accept responsibility for your child’s actions, especially when you are aware of the danger they put themselves in.

This accident happened because two boys accustomed to having a good time didn’t get as lucky has they had in the past.