The Tragic Denise Wagoner Story

Proverbs 20:1, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”

Denise Wagoner's life changed dramatically after she caused a near-fatal car crash while driving under the influence. Despite sustaining severe injuries and facing multiple surgeries, Denise now shares her powerful message about the consequences of impaired driving. Through her story, she educates others on the dangers of alcoholism, drug abuse, and the importance of wearing safety belts. Learn from Denise's experience and make responsible choices to prevent similar tragedies.

DUI - Was it worth it?

Denise Wagoner • Denise Wagoner was involved in a near fatal car crash, the victim of an drunk driver. She had multiple skull fractures, compressed vertebrae, crushed ribs, and a swollen brain. Every facial bone was broken, her arm was broken, and she lost her sight. Doctors did not expect her to live another 24 hours. Denise survived, later to have extensive surgery fifteen times, seven on her face alone. She is now disfigured and blind, with permanent brain damage. This life changing experience was the result of her own actions. Denise was the drunk driver. Before the accident.

Denise’s car hit a culvert...

Her car flipped 3 times end to end...

And then rolled 2 times...

Denise was thrown 70 feet into a field on the last roll...

Denise’s face right after accident She lost 9 units of blood in the 20 minute medivac flight. 56 units her first night...

Denise’s face after the first couple of surgery’s. Her first operation took 17 hours...

After 5 surgeries - Bridge of nose has been rebuilt. Lips have been started, pink skin from inside mouth used to make lips look more natural. Teeth still wired shut...

Denise 7 surgeries later...

The whole family has been affected, it is not just you. If you do something like Denise did your family suffers. Think about your mother and father, brothers, sisters, just everyone in the family has had to deal with Denise.

Denise has spent the last few years sharing her story, and has spoken to high school classes, drivers education programs, and convicted DUI offenders about her experience. She shares a powerful message about impaired driving, drug abuse, alcoholism, wearing of safety belts. 

Denise after 15 surgeries...

Denise during filming of “Just Call Me Crash”...

The Myths of Drinking and Driving

MYTH 1: You can sober up with black coffee, a cold shower, fresh air or exercise.

REALITY: Only time can sober up a person. Many factors contribute to how much alcohol it takes for a person to become impaired. A person's weight and how much food they have in their stomachs at the time of alcohol consumption are two such factors. For example, depending on height and weight of a someone who has had five drinks in two hours will probably need at least three more hours without alcohol to sober up. Research shows the effects of alcohol take longer to wear off on women. • "Women generally get tipsy faster and stay high longer than men matching them drink for drink."

MYTH 2: Drinking beer or wine will not make you as drunk as hard liquor.

REALITY: a 12-oz. beer, a 5-oz. glass of wine, and a 1-oz. shot of hard liquor all contain the same amount of alcohol. Depending on your drink of choice, it may actually have MORE alcohol than a shot of hard liquor.

MYTH 3: You can tell if a friend is drunk by looking at him.

REALITY: Judgment is the first thing affected when someone has been drinking and important motor skills are next. Even one drink can impair someone's ability to drive. Someone's physical appearance can be misleading The Myths of Drinking and Driving

MYTH 4: I’m OK…I’ve only had 1-2 beers…I only live a few miles away…I can make it. 

REALITY: You may feel alright, but the alcohol has already impaired your reflexes, motor skills, and thought processes. If you drink and drive…it’s only a matter of time before you are stopped and taken into custody or kill someone. Is it really worth it?

MYTH 5: If arrested, I’ll hire the best DUI attorney in town to defend me.

REALITY: A cop with an establish DUI arrest/conviction record, training, and experience will always prevail in court. More Myths of Drinking and Driving.

YOUR OPTIONS • Continue to drink and drive • “I can handle it… I’ve done it for years!” • …or... • Opt not to drink if you intend to drive • Find a designated a driver before you drink • As a last resort… • Call a cab! (cheaper than court costs) • Call a friend, supervisor, anyone! (Free) • Call AADD for help! (Free). Best advice yet, abstain completely from drinking booze! You cannot take two drinks if you don't take the first. No one ever says when taking their first sip of booze: “I want to become a drunk someday, I want to destroy my life.”

Arrive Alive - Don’t Drink & Drive (I say don't drink alcohol at all)...

Alarming Booze Statistics:

• 13,458 Americans died in alcohol-related crashes 2022
• 12,429 Americans died in alcohol-related crashes in 2023
• 11,904 Americans died in alcohol-related crashes in 2024
• 12,492 Americans died in alcohol-related crashes in 2025
• Every day, 34 people in the U.S. die in a drunk driving crash (2023 data)
• Between 2014 and 2023, there was a 25% increase in drunk driving fatalities
• Hawaii leads the nation with 42% of fatal crashes involving legally drunk drivers, followed by Texas and South Carolina
• 804,926 Americans were arrested for suspected DUI in 2024, representing 11% of all arrests nationwide
• Drunk driving crashes drain $58 billion from the U.S. economy annually, and one DUI can cost one offender as much as $30,000 on legal fees and penalties