Matthew Cordle Confessed To Killing A Man Via Youtube; Cautions Others Against Drinking And Driving [VIDEO]

Matthew Cordle, a 22-year-old from Ohio, has confessed to driving under the influence, killing a man in a YouTube video on Tuesday.

The confession video was made by Cordle with the help of Because I said I would, an Ohio based non-profit dedicated to encouraging people to fulfill promises to do good, whether for themselves or for others.

“Because I said I would is a social movement dedicated to bettering humanity through the power of a promise. To encourage positive change and acts of kindness, we send ‘promise cards’ to anywhere in the world at no cost,” the organization’s official website states.

Alex Sheen, founder of Because I said I would, was contacted by Cordle through the organization’s official Facebook page on Aug. 9. Cordle, who was a suspect in the Ohio car crash that resulted in the death of Vincent Canzani, had not been charged with the crime prior to the making of the video.

Cordle confesses to drunk driving the night of the June accident and says that he somehow ended up driving the wrong way on the freeway. Cordle’s reckless driving led him to crash into Canzani’s car and Canzani died at the scene.

“Against all legal advice, Matthew decided to make this video and release it prior to any charges being filled against him. His goal is to raise awareness about the terrible consequence that drunk driving can have on innocent people,” wrote Sheen about the video.

In the video, Cordle claims that his attorneys had told him of a strategy that could potentially keep him out of jail should he be charged, but he insisted on taking responsibility for his actions.

“This video will act as my confession. When charged, I’ll plead guilty… I won’t dishonor Vincent’s memory by lying about what happened,” Cordle says in the video.

The Franklin County prosecutor in charge of this case has seen the video and reportedly plans to charge Cordle with aggravated vehicular homicide. Cordle could face up to eight years in prison if convicted. Based on the video, Cordle feels he deserves whatever legal punishments are fit for his crime, apologizing for the family of Canzani.

The video ends with a plea: Cordle says he decided to confess in this public video because he wanted to serve as a warning for others never to drink and drive:

“I’m begging you, please, don’t drink and drive. Don’t make the same excuses as I did…You can still be saved. Your victims can still be saved, so please,” Cordle implores.

Because I said I would launched the video with a petition, asking followers and viewers to write a ‘promise card’ pledging never to drink and drive, and started a social media movement #saveyourvictim.

“Matt decided to release this video because he wants to raise awareness about the dangerous and irreversible consequences of drinking and driving. I fthat message is not heard… if viewers do not make the commitment to never drink and drive, then the video has certainly failed in its mission. I urge all supporters of “because I said I would” to join me in honoring the memory of Vincent Canzani with this promise: ‘I will never drink and drive,’ ” reads a message posted on the Because I said I would Facebook page.

– Olivia Truffaut-Wong