The circumstances of human existence are far more complex than can be expressed in black and white. There are shades of gray that cannot be mixed down, no matter how hard one tries.

That’s often the case in the courts, where justice can be dispensed but often never fully realized.

This week, Kenneth McDaniel was sentenced to 100 years in prison for his responsibility in the deaths of his wife, his son and a friend of his son, and serious injury to his stepdaughter. But it’s not enough. Nothing is enough.

Almost two years have passed since the unforgettable day that McDaniel, who was driving under the influence of alcohol with his family and the friend in his vehicle, crashed on U.S. 231 near Madrid.

Because of his actions, three people are dead. No amount of punishment for McDaniel will bring them back. This man’s poor judgement has ruined countless lives, including his own. He’ll certainly never serve his full sentence, but it’s a good bet that he’ll die in prison.

Another good bet is that he’ll spend a good bit of that time haunted by the deaths he’s caused. We don’t know Kenneth McDaniel, but he seems more like a regular guy than a cold-blooded monster. He probably didn’t mean to kill anyone. Unfortunately, he did.

McDaniel’s saga should serve as a cautionary tale to anyone who has ever thought that, despite having had a drink or two, they’re good to drive. Whether those drivers will arrive at their destinations without encountering a police officer or having a mishap of some sort is a gamble, and the loss is far too great to leave to chance.

The cost of Kenneth McDaniel’s lapse of judgement is immeasurable and its damage irreversible. Don’t drink and drive. The price is far too high.