The Moundsville law firm of Gold, Khourey & Turak, working with school administrators and students from Bridgeport High School, the Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department, the Bridgeport Police Department, Judge Frank A. Fregiato, and attorney W. Howard Klatt from Klatt Law Offices, highlighted the seriousness of the message, “Booze and Cruise, You’ll Lose” to students at Bridgeport High School in a two day presentation that involved a mock D.U.I. crash and trial. The events were scheduled in conjunction with the school’s Prom, which is scheduled for April 29th.

On Wednesday afternoon, nearly 200 students, teachers, and parents from Bridgeport High School assembled a parking lot near the school to witness a mock crash involving alcohol and the unfortunate death of Michael Roberts, a student at Bridgeport High School. Before arriving at the crash scene, a brief scenario was read to the students. The scenario surrounded around Prom night and included names of places that are familiar to the students.

Patrolman Andrew Klotz and Chief Steve Studenc of the Bridgeport Police Department were first on scene. Shortly after, personnel from the Bridgeport Police Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue arrived. With lights and sirens sounding, this mock scene appeared to be a real emergency. In fact, the “Jaws of Life” were used to remove the passengers from Michael Robert’s, the deceased, vehicle. Bodies were placed in ambulances and field sobriety tests were performed. Witnesses were shocked and distraught at the crash scene. The driver, Alexis Dober, another student at Bridgeport High School, was arrested and charged with Vehicular Homicide, among other charges. Many bystanders commented that the crash “was very educational”, and proved more convincing than a lecture. Afterwards, the officers and emergency personnel had the opportunity to speak with the students and answer any questions they had about the crash scene.

As in real life, the nightmare for those who decide to drink and drive doesn’t end with just a crash. On Thursday morning, the Bridgeport student body gathered in the school’s auditorium to witness Alexis Dober stand trial for causing the death of Michael Roberts. Belmont County Northern Division Judge Frank A. Fregiato presided over the case, while Christopher Turak from Gold, Khourey & Turak and W. Howard Klatt from Klatt Law Offices, prosecuted and defended the case. Bridgeport student Sarah Zimmerman served as co-counsel for the prosecution, while student Laura Saavedra assisted with the defense. The jury consisted of 13 students, including one alternate, from Bridgeport High School’s T.A.P.P. program.

Judge Fregiato conducted the trial as close to a real trial as possible. Witnesses were sworn in, reports, photos, and exhibits were entered into evidence, and objections heard, just as it would happen in a real court room. Prior to the jury deliberations, attorney Christopher Turak encouraged the students to not only remember the facts, but also the life of Michael Roberts. “Michael was a student, a friend, and a son, who had his whole life in front of him. Then, all of a sudden, his life was ended because the defendant decided to drive under the influence.” Defense attorney Howard Klatt encouraged the jury take a different approach, he said, “Look at this incident for what it was, an accident, and we all know accidents happen because we see them everyday.” In the end, the jury returned a verdict of guilty of Vehicular Homicide. Before sentencing, Carla Roberts, mother of the deceased, provided a very emotional impact statement on behalf of her son. Judge Fregiato did not hesitate to order that Alexis Dober serve the next 7 years in prison, the maximum sentenced allowed by law. Before being handcuffed and taken into custody by the Bridgeport Police Department, attorney Howard Klatt asked the Judge to allow his client some time to “get her things in order” prior to going to jail. Judge Fregiato vehemently denied his request, stating, “Michael Roberts didn’t have a chance to get his things in order, and neither should your client.”

Proceeding the trial, attorney Christopher Turak, who served as the prosecutor, offered, “The jury did a good job. This shows that the justice system does work. If you’re going to participate in acts such as drinking and driving, you should be prepared to face the consequences.”

Gold, Khourey & Turak is a personal injury law firm located in Moundsville that represents victims of drunk drivers. As the result of their firsthand experience, their hope is that these mock presentations will prove effective in deterring individuals from drinking and driving. Special thanks to Bill’s Towing for supplying the vehicles, the Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department, Bridgeport Police Department, attorney Howard Klatt, and Judge Fregiato.

Additional information about the mock accident and trial can be obtained by calling the law offices of Gold, Khourey and Turak at (304) 845-9750.