Port Charlotte man killed in overnight crash

The car belonged to Matt not Chad even though Chad was driving. Rip Matthew Pouk... youll always be in our hearts

our prayers are with matts parents today and in coming months for God to bless this family with peace that passes all understanding and comfort fot their brken hearts. for chad as well for mending his injuries and comfort at the loss of his friend. rip matt. you are in His arms now.

I went to school with Matt, when he was at Community Christian in Port Charlotte. Even though I have not seen or talked to him in years. He was a great friend, and he will be missed by all who knew him.
You will be with us always Matt!!!

The saddest part of this is that no one is mentioning that Chad drove drunk and KILLED Matt. This wasn't just a terrible accident, this was one friend's stupidity killing the other. Is that going to stop anyone else from driving drunk? He was a best friend a boyfriend a son and a brother and now hes just another victim of drunk driving.

Anyone Notice wrote:

The saddest part of this is that no one is mentioning that Chad drove drunk and KILLED Matt. This wasn't just a terrible accident, this was one friend's stupidity killing the other. Is that going to stop anyone else from driving drunk? He was a best friend a boyfriend a son and a brother and now hes just another victim of drunk driving.

How do you know he was drunk it does not say that in the report?

Because all of his friends (me included) were at the accident that night and they were all at the same place drinkign beer together. Just that nobody wants Chad to feel bad. Thats the truth. Matt was extremely drunk to drunk to drive his own truck and Chad killed him. The police report is published im sure so anyone can read that he is going to be blamed and hopefully arested.

So you and all his friends were there and knew he was drunk, yet did nothing to stop him? Friends like you, I certainly don't need!

One friends stupidity killing the other? Or one friends stupidity for not taking the appropiate action to prevent it. If he was that drunk, it should not have been difficult to take the keys away from him before he drove! I have done it many times before!

The death of another is always tragic. What is important is the lessons we learn from a tragic accident! I have lost many friends, some to drunk drivers, some to murder and some in combat. But, you have to move on and take from the accident what lessons can be learned... The lesson here is never drive drunk or more importantly, be a friend and never allow them to drive drunk.

Just Wondering wrote:

So you and all his friends were there and knew he was drunk, yet did nothing to stop him? Friends like you, I certainly don't need!

no i got called AFTER the crash by two of my friends hysterical and went out there. Everyone that was hanging out together had been drinking. I am not over 21, am a christian and don't drink or break the law. And I was more Matts friend than Chads.

as it was Said I hope everyone will wear their seat belts and something gets done about the people buying alcohol for teenagers. Just becsuse were in college doesn't make it okay to drink. Theres a reason theres a legal drinking ago, because kids are not responsible and this is a sad reminder.

You cant all blame Chad, No one expected this to happen. Im pretty sure that if this were to happen to you and you were laying in that hospital bed, and you just lost your best friend , you wouldnt want your so called 'friends' talking bad about you. Its not Chads fault. They both put themselves in jeopardy by driving intoxicated. Chad has been through enough this past weekend , show him some love and show him that yall care about him , help him heal and realize theres more to life then drinking and driving . Lets just hope he gets better and takes this as a lesson and hopefully he'll learn . Just remember its not chads fault , they could have both took the proper precautions and stayed til they got sober or got them a sober driver . RIP Matt Pouk , Your always in our hearts and souls , you live on through your friends and family , we love you . Chad Were praying for you .

i am best friends with both chad and matt and to whoever you are "anyone notice" ya need tolay off chad because we are all lucky enough to at least have one friend left from this accident. they both made horrible decisions to get in that car but they both made the choice. just as much matts fault as it was chads. yea a lesson does need to learned from this but more lives do not need to be ruined. Chad has more to deal with now than you could ever imagine. he knows what happened and for you to say that he need to hopefully get arrested is not that christian of you specialy after statign that you are one so very clearly. one of my best friends lives is gone, the people in this town, and the closeest friends of both chad and matt dont need another life being ruined by chad being thrown in jail.

stover good job bo. i agree 100% and half these people dont even know the whole story. remember haters will always hate!!!

You still didnt answer my question. Is this going to change anyones attitude towards getting behind rhe wheel drunk? Wearing seatbelts? Or how about underage drinking in general?

More than Chad - where's the charges for the adults that served them?

Of course theres going to be the kids that dont learn a thing from this and that is pathetic. But alot of people in our little town have been hit hard by this. As for others i can answer for but as for me and my attitude its just fortified a very strong conviction against driving even if youve only had a "few". Like i said im closest friends with both Matt and Chad and i was not in town for the accident but i know the friends of ours that were will not let another friend drive off from a party intoxicated. The person who's house the party was at has turned himself into the police and were just waiting to hear about him. Matt always wore his seatbelt...the one time he didnt it cost him his life. I cant speak for anyone else but as for me and my habits...yea, there are quite a few changes being made.

A PARENT wrote:

AS FOR THE HOME THE PARTY WAS HELD AND THE OWNER, I DON'T THINK THEY COULD HAVE PROVIDED EVERYONE WITH THE BEER, LIQUOR OR WHAT EVER. I'M SURE PEOPLE CAME TO THE PARTY WITH THEIR OWN SUPPLY SO WHY DOES EVERYONE ASUME THEY WERE THE PROVIDERS. EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS AND I HAVE SEEN AND HEARD OF ALL THESE KIDS PURCHASING BEER ON THEIR OWN (UNFORTUNATELY) AND IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR US ALL TO GET MORE STORES TO CHECK DEEPER BEFORE SELLING THESE PRODUCTS AND IF YOU KNOW OF A STORE DOING THAT CALL THE PROPER AUTHORITIES TO REPORT THAT BUT ALOT OF THE KIDS WOULD NOT DUE THAT BECAUSE IT WOULD RUIN THEIR GOOD TIME (SO THEY THINK) BUT IT IS ONLY RUINING OUR YOUTH. I AS A PARENT HAVE SEEN THESE PURCHASES AND TOLD THE STORE MANAGER THAT THEY JUST SOLD TO A MINOR. I WAS LOOKED AT LIKE I WAS CRAZY AND WAS CAUSING A NON SALE. THEY ARE AFTER MONEY LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.

And as a parent, as an *adult*, it is their responsibiliy to be sure no one that is underage is drinking at their residence. How the alcohol gets there doesn't really matter, does it? Isn't it the end result? I applaud you for turning in store clerks that are selling to underage. I wish more would do that same. I have been on underage alcohol stings and it goes on so often. But, so does underage house parties where the parents are very aware. As far as Chad, he drove drunk, he will be charged with DUI Manslaughter as he should be. Yes. It is a violent crime. Did Matt make a bad choice? Absolutely. But he didn't deserve to pay with his life and he didn't pull the trigger. Chad could have killed many more innocent people on the road that night but thankfully didn't. However, Matt's parents nightmare is just beginning. They have no clue how bad it is going to get. NO CLUE. What Chad is going to go through can't even begin to touch it. I know. My only child, my Matt, was killed by a drunk driver over Christmas of 2006. I still cry each and every day. It is NOT an accident...it is a crash. It is not a mistake..it is a choice. I ALWAYS told my Matt that. My worst fear became my reality. Now another family is living my reality. Today more families will join this nightmare. DUI - the most socially acceptable violent crime.

you are right. i feel for you and your family along with matt's parents. when losing a child or any family member to any crime is a life long nightmare. we as adults and there needs to be more adults that start taking more steps to prevent house parties and drinking and driving and underage drinking. i just pray that the kids will understand our concerns and determine that they do not have to drink to have a good time. with the times changing and all the evil out there we need to encourage them and constantly remind them of the better things in life than partying and get them into more creative fun things that don't involve hurting others or themselves. innocent people are hurt, killed and mamed for life for neglegience.i pray for everyone involved and others like your self. i, to am a mom of an only child. i never want that nightmare.

Anyone Notice wrote:

Because all of his friends (me included) were at the accident that night and they were all at the same place drinkign beer together. Just that nobody wants Chad to feel bad. Thats the truth. Matt was extremely drunk to drunk to drive his own truck and Chad killed him. The police report is published im sure so anyone can read that he is going to be blamed and hopefully arested.

So what is your name???