By Thomas V. Stachowitz
ST. MARY'S TODAY

HOLLYWOOD — "I want to personally thank the citizen who saved my daughter’s life," said Tracy Keegan, the mother of a seven year old who was in a car being driven by her ex-husband Michael Keegan when he was pulled over around 8pm on Friday, June 22nd.

According to the police, a Good Samaritan noticed a car swerving down the road and made a call about a potential drunk driver. The car was pulled over at the intersection of Hollywood Road and 3 Notch Road in Hollywood and the Good Samaritan went on his or her way, oblivious to the grateful mother who will always remember their vigilance.

According to police after pulling Michael Keegan over they noticed a loaded rifle on the back seat of the car. Sitting next to that rifle was Keegan’s seven year old daughter. Police drug experts determined that Michael Keegan, who believed he was on route 301 heading south, was under the influence of drugs and charged him with driving under the influence.

According to Tracy Keegan she received a phone call from her daughter’s school telling her that her ex-husband had picked up their daughter at 3pm. The school mentioned concerns that Michael Keegan might have been under the influence but were unable to act because there was no clear evidence of alcohol use.

Tracy Keegan attempted to contact her ex-husband but her phone calls went directly to voice mail. She was unaware of what was happening until the phone rang in the evening and she "thought that [her] worst nightmare had come true."

Tracy Keegan has been concerned about her daughter’s safety when in her ex-husband’s care for some time but always put her faith in the courts because she "didn’t want to be a problem," but she says that this recent arrest was "an eye opener" for her and she has realized that she has "been quiet for too long."

She said that she is not looking to keep her ex-husband from being a part of their daughter’s life but she wants safeguards put in place. To that end last July she approached the Arlington County Court and an investigation into her concerns was ordered.

Two months ago the result of what Tracy Keegan describes as an investigation that was "not thorough" said that Michael Keegan raised no safety concerns as a driver. In light of recent events Tracy Keegan firmly believes that the system "is failing a seven year old girl."

For Tracy Keegan this is only the most recent in a long line of frustrations. Since her separation from Michael Keegan in 2001 she has spent over $100,000 on lawyers to defending her from her ex-husband’s self-defended "frivolous motions."

According to Tracy Keegan things got so bad that, in Virginia Beach, Michael Keegan was barred from making any motions without obtaining permission from a judge. Tracy Keegan attempted to establish a similar requirement in Arlington County but has so far been unsuccessful.

After the events of June 22nd Michael Keegan’s visitation rights have been suspended. Now Tracy is trying to get the word out about her situation because she fears that other people may be facing similar woes and, she says, "My heart bleeds for women and men who cannot afford to fight for their kids."