54 pages • 1 hour read
Matt RichtelA Deadly Wandering
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2014A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
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BetaChapters 40-43Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 40 Summary: “The Lawmakers”
The committee meets again to discuss the texting-and-driving bill. They are about to table it when Terryl arrives and makes a speech citing several recent fatal accidents due to distracted driving. A young woman stands up in support, and after her, Reggie stands and reveals to the committee that he was the driver at fault in the accident Terryl described. He wants everyone to be aware of the risks because his distraction cost two good men their lives. He apologizes for the first time to the victims’ widows.
The committee falls silent. Opposition to the bill fades, which passes out of committee and is approved by the full House on February 26. It will still need to pass in the senate before the governor can sign it into law.
Terryl’s opinion of Reggie shifts for the first time. Seeing his willingness to speak publicly about what happened despite his anguish and his shame, she decides that while he still needs to be punished, she can work with him.
Chapter 41 Summary: “Justice”
On March 10, everyone gathers in the courtroom for Reggie’s sentencing. The judge says the presentencing report reflects very well on Reggie. Bunderson reminds the judge that there was “no intent” (308) involved in this crime.
Reggie makes a lengthy speech apologizing and affirming his commitment to change: “From now on, my purpose in life is to make others aware of dangers that ultimately took lives on the morning of September 22, 2006” (311).
Truck driver and witness Jon Kaiserman admonishes Reggie for not having come to such a perspective sooner. Jackie and Leila talk about their husbands and their grief. Prosecutor Linton distinguishes criminally negligent distraction and an unavoidable distraction; despite Bunderson’s claims to the contrary, texting is nothing like “looking at geese on the horizon” (313).
The judge sentences Reggie to 30 days in jail—ironically, this jail term is partly due to the success of the new texting bill that Reggie supported during the committee hearing. Reggie’s sentence conditions include community service, speaking to high schools about his experience, and, most unusually, reading and writing an essay on Les Misérables, which in the judge’s words, “talks about a man who has done a terrible wrong and makes it right again” (316).
As everyone is wandering out, Linton, tells Reggie that he has now found his spiritual purpose: “Instead of trying to convert people, your true mission is saving lives” (316).
Chapter 42 Summary: “The Lawmakers”
On March 12, the Utah State Senate passes legislation to ban texting and driving, with a 26-1 vote.
Reggie’s accident is mostly the catalyst here. Cache County attorney says that Terryl deserves most of the credit. Going against the tradition of naming laws after victims, Dr. Strayer says they should call it Reggie’s Law, after the person “who had begun to turn tragedy into redemption” (317).
Chapter 43 Summary: “Justice”
Reggie goes to jail on May 8. A film crew from Zero Fatalities, a public-safety organization, films him. The first night, he receives a mattress on the floor next to a bunk. He doesn’t sleep for several days.
In an unusual move, Judge Wilmore asks to see Linton and Bunderson halfway through Reggie’s sentence—he wonders whether they would object to him shortening Reggie’s prison time. Reggie ends up serving only 18 of his 30 days.
Chapters 40-43 Analysis
Reggie’s speech at the committee hearing marks the beginning of his transformation. He began the book as a confused and bitter perpetrator of an unintentional but fatal accident who is unwilling to take responsibility. In speaking out about what happened and urging legislators to criminalize this harmful behavior, Reggie is on his way to becoming a truthful and remorseful person willing to accept his actions and affect change. Sensing his newfound earnestness in the way he “sound[s] completely real, tortured […] truly sorry” (304), Terryl changes her mind about Reggie.
Once again, the book hits on the theme of Reggie as an everyman figure, allowing those who come into contact with him to see themselves in his experiences. Presentencing expert Yonk remembers her own distracted driving, just as Baird had earlier. Many people find themselves “seeing themselves in Reggie, viewing this tiny moment in time as a projection of how they would’ve handled themselves, or have. His attention, ours, is so fragile. It can happen to anyone” (315).
