Beallsville High School Students
Encouraged To Make Safe Decisions
School Hosts Booze and Cruise, You’ll Lose Program

January 11, 2007

View Slideshow

On Thursday afternoon, nearly 100 students at Beallsville High School gathered in the school’s gymnasium for a visit from one of the most traveled programs in the Ohio Valley, the Booze and Cruise, You’ll Lose program. The program has educated area high school students about the dangers and consequences of driving under the influence since 1992. The sponsors include the West Virginia State Police, the law firm of Gold, Khourey & Turak, the Wheeling Nailers, and WTOV-TV 9.

“Our program is not about showing you photos of drunk driving crashes,” said Christopher Turak, an attorney with the law firm of Gold, Khourey & Turak and the program’s coordinator. “We’re here today to talk to you about the law, and to discuss situations that you may not realize could get you into trouble as it pertains to driving under the influence.”

The first part of the segment was a brief question and answer session pertaining to questions on the Booze Buster Quiz. Each student was required to complete the quiz prior to the assembly, and those questions were the focus of the discussions. WTOV’s Amy Post and “the Voice of the Nailers,” Brendan Burke, served as emcees and went out into the audience in search of volunteers to answer the questions. Students who participated were awarded tickets to a Wheeling Nailers game or a t-shirt.

“Most young people, and a lot of adults for that matter, don’t realize that when you obtain your drivers license, you are agreeing to consent to a b.a.c. test if you are ever pulled over for suspicion of driving under the influence,” noted Turak. “This is called implied consent. Failure to take the test will result in an automatic suspension of your license.”

Cpl. Jason Laing, a 13-year veteran of the West Virginia State Police, explained to the students that officers cannot force individuals take the test. Laing explained, “The fact is, if you decide not to take the test, you make my job a lot easier with respect to how much I am required to testify at court. The test is just one part of the evidence submitted at trial, and that just makes it one less thing I have to prove. However, it doesn’t look good for you if you don’t take the test.” Laing suggested, “So, if I were you, I would submit to the test.”

Turak also described how a person could be arrested for D.U.I. without even operating a motor vehicle. “I was young once also, and I know how things work,” said Turak. “Maybe you’re at a party and a friend of yours convinces you he or she is o.k. to drive, so you give him or her your car keys, and they take your car, without you in it, and get pulled over for D.U.I... This might be the most important thing you learn today. You can also be charged for D.U.I. for knowingly giving your keys to an intoxicated person to drive.” Turak encouraged, “So, please think twice about giving your keys to someone who is drinking.”

Cpl. Laing explained that many DUI arrests don’t start out as DUI arrests, but as minor traffic violations. “Many times we’ll pull someone over because they’re going 8 or 10 miles over the speed limit, then we notice the smell of alcohol and that’s when our attention shifts to a possible DUI arrest”, said Laing. With the use of “Drunk Goggles”, student Chasity Burkhart was able to simulate 0.10 intoxication and was taken through a number of field sobriety tests. After Burkhart failed multiple tests, including the heal-to-toe test, Laing read her rights to her and placed her “under arrest.”

Wheeling Nailers captain, Curtiss Patrick, shared a story about how drinking and driving can ruin your life. “I had a friend pulled over for D.U.I.” explained Curtiss. “He was a hockey player just drafted in the NHL draft, but because of his D.U.I. a lot of teams passed him by. Even now years after the fact, he is still haunted by his mistake,” continued Patrick. “Just realize a D.U.I. stays with you your entire life, and can ruin your life and dreams.”

At the close of the programs, students Cami Westfall and Derek Stewart were recognized for their efforts on the Booze Buster Quiz. Westfall was presented with a t-shirt and tickets to an upcoming Wheeling Nailers game, and Stewart was presented with a team autographed hockey stick and tickets.

The Booze and Cruise, You’ll Lose program is sponsored by the law offices of Gold, Khourey & Turak, the West Virginia State Police, WTOV 9, and the Wheeling Nailers. For more information on the program, contact the law offices of Gold, Khourey & Turak at (304) 845-9750.