Stay Safe This St. Paddy's Day

Needless to say it's one of the biggest drinking nights in Western New York. It's St. Patrick's Day - so we'd like to wish everyone a happy and SAFE holiday.

This blog says it best: Grandma's Guide to Life

Don't count on the luck of the Irish this holiday, please make the right choice and don't drink and drive.

Deanna

A First in Erie County as Officer Fights For His Life

The man who killed his passenger and left a Buffalo Police Officer fighting for his life may be the first Erie County resident to be prosecuted on a charge of aggravated vehicular homicide.

Anthony Thompson is only 22 years old (a year over the legal age limit for legally drinking), and if he's convicted he could be serving 25 years in prison. Kudos to prosecutors who are making sure that Thompson is punished for what he did.

Watching the video of the crash (caught on surveillance tape used in this WGRZ report last weekend) causes the average person to gasp.

One of Thompson's passengers, Honey Ransom died of her injuries following that crash. The off-duty Buffalo Police Officer - Gary Sengbusch is hospitalized in critical condition at ECMC.

It's heartbreaking to hear the daily reports of drunk drivers maiming and killing innocent people. It's even more tragic when law enforcement officers are the ones who become their victims. After all, these men and women work hard to keep drunk drivers off of our roads.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Sengbusch and Ransom families and the Erie County District Attorney and his staff who are making sure justice is served.


Until next time...
Deanna

"Accident on Seneca Street" Flashbacks

"Accident on Seneca Street..."

When I first saw the report on the news all I could think of is, that's right where Karen's accident was. Just a few days ago, a pedestrian was struck by a hit and run driver...within feet of where my sister was killed.

Here's a link to the News' story regarding this latest incident. The 69 year old woman is in the hospital, and the woman who struck her hasn't yet been charged. Perhaps it's just a coincidence that the driver who struck this woman on Seneca near Duerstein is the mother of a Town of Tonawanda police officer and sister of the retired Town of Tonawanda Police Chief. I trust that her relations with the cops will have no bearing on the outcome of this case. Too many times "who you know" plays a larger role in the prosecution rather than "what you did".

The article says police are trying to figure out if the driver knew she hit the woman...how could she have not known? The impact sent her flying into the air!

Now at the end of the article, they mention that the victim served prison time for her role in a crash. As far as I'm concerned (as a victim and a fighter against DWI) that should have no bearing on this incident. She's a victim who shouldn't have been jaywalking, but the driver was ultimately at fault.

Now getting back to the flashback...Nearly 13 years later, I remember it like it was yesterday. Within feet of this most recent accident, my sister was riding with her friend when they were struck head on by a drunk driver. To this day, it's very difficult for me and my family to drive down Seneca Street. We often say a prayer as we drive down that stretch where my sister died.

13 years later I haven't forgotten and that's why I continue to fight and speak out about the dangers of drinking and driving, so no other family has to go through the pain that my family endures every day.


Until next time...

Deanna

Shaking my head in disgust

When I originally heard about the story surroundingwoman who ran from cops when watching the news this weekend, I originally thought "she just didn't want to face the police because she was drinking and driving.

Then I read the story in The Buffalo News. Unbelievable. Her driver’s license has been suspended 12 times??? Yet she's still driving and putting countless lives in danger.

The driver who killed my sister was also driving with a suspended license. When the courts give out this penalty for DWI they are trusting the DWI offenders that they won't drink and drive anymore. Often the drivers don't listen.

Thank goodness the police caught up to her and now she's facing even more charges. Lives could have been lost due to her negligence.

I'd like to salute the law enforcement officers for getting her off the road...again. Hopefully now the justice system can keep her from endangering more lives.

Until next time...

Deanna

'Tis the season

The holiday season has arrived, and for many Western New Yorkers that means parties and get togethers.

On behalf of CAID I would like to remind you to drive safe this holiday season. Remember to call a designated driver, if you or your driver isn't capable of driving home.


Thanks,

Deanna

Middle School Principal Charged

I often use this blog as a way to vent my opinion on DWI cases in Western New York. When I heard about the Sweet Home Middle School Principal facing his second DWI charge in a matter of a few years, I was very disappointed.

I am a new parent, and if my child was in Mr. Smorol's school I would demand that school officials hold him responsible for his actions. I hope parents step up and demand the same.

If anyone should be setting an example for kids and young teens it should be school administrators and teachers. The school has since placed Smorol on administrative leave, but I don't think that is enough.

I might be able to understand if this was Smorol's first offense, but he's now been charged with two - the second being a felony.

I urge school officials to take the appropriate action, remember the kids.

Until next time...

Deanna

Adams Heads To Jail

Appeal rejected - Anne Adams, the former attorney convicted of DWI headed to jail this afternoon. While I should be pleased that the appeal was turned down and she'll be behind bars...it wasn't the sentence that an average DWI offender would get. Don't forget that she hatched a scheme to fool the system and avoid all of this too.

Adams will serve five weekends in jail, has to serve probation, and has to go to a DWI victim impact panel. There were other penalties as well, they are all listed in the article.

I speak at panels, and I hope that we get to meet. I'd like her to hear my sister's story and hear about what could have happened.

You can only dodge the law for so long Ms. Adams, I hope you learn your lesson.

Until next time...

Deanna