Maher speaks out about drunk driving

Matthew Maher was that guy that had everything. He was a professional soccer player for the Philadelphia Kixx with a bright future in the sport ahead of him. On March 1, 2009, Maher tore his ACL and Meniscus, changing his career forever.

Just a few days later, Maher, 25 of Cape May Court House, made a decision that would take him off the soccer field and put him in prison. On March 7, Maher struck and killed Hort Kapp, 55, on the Atlantic City Expressway while driving drunk, altering his life and the lives of many others forever.

“I flipped several worlds upside down,” Maher said. “Decisions will determine your destiny.”

Maher pleaded guilty on Oct. 7, admitting that he had been drinking in Philadelphia at two bars before deciding to get in his car with a friend and drive to Atlantic City. Maher will be sentenced in January and is facing second-degree aggravated manslaughter, and 10 to 30 years in prison.

Maher had been playing soccer for as long as he could remember. He was the captain of Temple University’s team from 2005-06, was drafted into the Men’s Indoor Soccer League in the first round and was second pick overall to the New Jersey Ironmen in 2007. By 2009, Maher had played two years professionally with the Philadelphia Kixx.

“I always felt untouchable,” Maher said.

Maher has been visiting local high schools and colleges to spread his story. As he waits for his sentencing, Maher hopes to spread the message to young people good decision making.

On Tuesday, Maher visited Tim Zatzariny’s composition class. Teresa Thomas of the South Jersey Traffic Alliance, was also in attendance.

“Some things cannot be undone,” Zatzariny said. “I’ve never seen someone go out and talk to people while they were waiting to be sentenced.”

Maher told the class that he was supposed to be the designated driver on the night of the fatal accident. But, when he reached the second bar, he was depressed about tearing his ACL and had run into college friends. A few drinks and some shots later, Maher and his friend Michael V. Filachek decided to continue the part in Atlantic City.

“Speed limit didn’t matter,” Maher said. “Seatbelt? Who cares?”

Maher got behind the wheel of his Cadillac Escalade and drove about 30 miles before he struck the back of Kapp’s SUV, sending the two vehicles into separate directions. Kapp’s vehicle flipped and Maher’s landed on all four wheels. Neither Maher or his passenger were injured, but the collision killed Kapp.

Maher was put in handcuffs after refusing a sobriety test. Maher did not know that the accident had killed Kapp until the next morning at the police station.

“My heart dropped to my toes in disbelief. I thought, ‘there’s no way this could be true,” Maher said. “I was you, I went to college, I graduated. I made a living as a professional soccer player. But none of that matters now.”

Maher expressed his remorse for the situation and said that he had written a letter to the family of the victim a week after the accident. Maher found out last week, through a victim advocacy program, that the family had received his letter.

Maher’s words struck a chord with Zatzariny’s class.

“A lot of people really don’t realize that your decisions can impact everyone. Matthew changed a life, and you come to realize, it can happen to anyone,” said Carly Fowler, a senior political science major.

Kevin Ketcho, a freshman mechanical engineering major, also felt effected by Maher’s speech.

“It’s weird seeing someone that is going to jail,” Ketcho said. “It could happen to anybody. You could see yourself there.”

Maher said that after his sentence, he is excited about the prospect of playing soccer again.