Judges, DWI, and One Who Appears To Be Making a Difference

Too often in WNY and in cities and towns across the country, police make DWI arrests, and then the justice system brings everything to a screeching halt. Judges are not always focused on the dangers drunk drivers pose to innocent victims.

In the case surrounding my sister's death, the man convicted in the case had at least two prior DWI convictions. Earlier that day he was even pulled over for suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Too often, people charged with DWI offenses are repeat offenders and they commit the crime multiple times before they are 1-pulled over or 2-face serious repurcussions. Instead, the charges are "knocked down" or reduced.

Four years ago, when Deborah Chimes was appointed town justice in Orchard Park, she became the first female justice in town history. That's impressive enough, but what caught my eye is that since she took office, Chimes instated the National Safety Council Driver Improvement Program. That program helps people who are found guilty of driving while intoxicated get into anti-DWI programs even if they can't afford treatment. Now Chimes is running for re-election. As someone who fights DWI in this community, it's nice to see a judge who is focused on keeping impaired drivers off the road.


Deanna

Woman Plows Into 200 Year Old House

It stood on a Staten Island street corner for more than 200 years, but it couldn't withstand the force of a crash caused by an alleged drunk driver. Police say a 21 year old woman with a BAC of .15 is responsible for the crash.

My take on this story? I agree with the young eyewitness who saw it all. "There was no way she could have driven the car."

She was drinking for four straight hours?! I'm surprised her BAC wasn't higher than .15.

She was lucky that she didn't hurt or kill anyone, though she did damage a historic building. Hopefully this was a wake-up call.


Deanna

They should do this in WNY schools

As we start to schedule school presentations to educate teens about the dangers of drunk driving this prom season, our mission to stop this dangerous crime is heightened. Hopefully hundreds of students will hear Karen's story and see a PowerPoint presentation to hear how real people are impacted by this tragic crime.

There's a high school in New Mexico that's doing things a little differently. I think that bringing the courtroom into the classroom is a fantastic idea. This is something schools in our area should consider. I do think that this should be followed with a victim's story as well. This way students can see how the courts treat drunk drivers and then how real people's lives are impacted.

The more teenagers hear about the dangers of alcohol and how the combination of drinking and driving is so deadly the better.

Deanna

Celebrating St. Paddy's Day & Staying Safe

It's one of the first things people think about when they think of St. Patrick's Day celebrations - drinking a beer. After all, it's an Irish custom to have a drink when you party.

Personally, I'm not against drinking, whether you're celebrating St. Patrick's Day or any other special occasion. It's when you combine that one, two, three or more beers with a vehicle that I have a problem. My sister Karen was an innocent victim of someone who did just that, someone who drank alcohol and drove home and slammed into the car she was riding in at 55 MPH. Karen was killed almost instantly. Too many innocent lives are taken each day by people who don't think before they drink and drive.

There are ways to wear green, celebrate "St. Paddy's Day", and stay safe this holiday. Think before you drink. Call a cab, designate a driver (who won't drink with his friends) to make sure everyone gets home safe, or even call a friend if you know that you're too buzzed to drive.

Have a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day, and think first before you drink. Make the right choice and don't drink and drive.

Thanks,

Deanna

Please stay safe this

Emotions & Vigilance

I started planning the "Remembering Karen" Candlelight Vigil months ago. It started with a few thoughts at that time and last night it tranformed into a memorable event.

Emotions ran high as we all remembered Karen and others lost in drunk driving crashes, yet the many in attendance shared the same mindset that I have - the time for change is now.
Crusade Against Impaired Driving was started to ensure that other families do not have to suffer the way my family and I have suffered over the past decade.

As it was in our lives, the music from last night's event was an important part of the program, and I carefully selected each song. Here are links to all four songs that were played at the event.

"Precious Child"
"Who you'd be today"
"Remember Me This Way"
"MyHeart Will Go On"

As mementos of the evening, everyone in attendance walked away with a prayer card and a bookmark.

Not only did I get an overwhelming amount of emotional support at last night's event...the financial support of everyone, both friends and strangers, was amazing as well. Many opened up their wallets to support our organization, and to everyone I say thank you. Remember that all donations to Crusade Against Impaired Driving, Inc. stay in this community.

Where will this money go? First, money raised will go to support educating people in this community about the dangers of DWI. School presentations are being planned for pre-prom assemblies. We will also soon begin work on a DWI announcement to work into school announcements at area schools. I'll provide more updates on both of these programs right here. More programs will be planned in the future. We also plan to provide victim services to those impacted by drunk driving, this is a need currently not being filled in this community.

Thank you for all your support and for helping to make the candlelight vigil a success.


Deanna

10 Years Ago

Tomorrow will mark 10 years since Karen was torn out of our lives. Friends, family, classmates, and the community will be coming together to remember a young life that was cut short.

The event will be one to remember Karen and all victims of drunk driving crashes. The goal of the evening is to remember and to pledge to change the mindset so more people understand the dangers of drinking and driving.

The location has been changed to St. John the Evangelist Church from the original location (Cazenovia Park) due to the weather. St. John's is on Seneca Street, within a few steps of where the crash happened on March 6, 1998. The vigil will begin at 7pm.

If anyone has any questions about the event, please email me through the website.

Hope to see you there...

Deanna