Weirton Madonna High School Students Participate in Day-Long Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose Event

February 9, 2001

It's difficult to imagine a force so powerful that an entire student body could be wiped out in a matter of a few short school days. While the obvious possible catastrophes may come to mind such as flooding, tornados, and the like, this deadly event appears more easily controllable - Drinking and Driving.
On Friday afternoon, Weirton Madonna hosted a Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose assembly to learn more about the legal and financial consequences of this deadly combination. More than 150 students, parents, and teachers attended the program, sponsored by the personal injury law firm of Gold, Khourey & Turak, the West Virginia State Police, the Wheeling Nailers, and WTOV TV9.

Rich Wilson, former attorney with the law firm of Gold, Khourey & Turak, and the program's former coordinator, asked the students various questions concerning the legal and financial consequences of drinking and driving. Those who participated in the discussion were awarded Nailer tickets, Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose t-shirts, can coolers, water bottles, mouse pads, Ted Musgrave and Larry McReynolds autographed NASCAR items, a Wheeling Nailer autographed hockey stick, or a combination of items.

Wilson points out, "Many young adults, and older adults for that matter, don't realize that you can be arrested for DUI without actually consuming an alcoholic beverage." He states that, "Besides the obvious use of drugs such as marijuana, anyone who takes a prescription medication, then decides to drive, runs the risk of being arrested for driving under the influence." "For someone under the age of 21, it doesn't take much, the level is 0.02." Wilson comments, "Why anyone would increase the risk by drinking then trying to drive is beyond me. In addition, you need to consider the increased risk of harming yourself or someone else." 1st Sergeant John D. Gruzinskas, a 22-year veteran of the West Virginia State Police, informed the students of the arrest procedure involved with a DUI, and performed field sobriety tests on several students. The students wore "Fatal Vision" of "Beer Goggles" to simulate being intoxicated, and were "arrested" shortly after the tests. Sergeant Gruzinskas offered this advice to the crowd, "We are all born with common sense, use it." Gruzinskas added, "If you have something to drink, don't drive, and never get into a car with someone whose been drinking." Gruzinskas continues, "Sure, it's fun to see your friends stumbling through these tests, but the reality is that there are folks driving under these same conditions. It's scary to think that our family members, friends, along with other innocent people are on the same road with them." Wheeling Nailers Mark Scally and newly acquired Jeff Schmidt, and WTOV 9's Kelli Olexia, told stories of friends and former teammates that have been effected by drinking and driving, and encouraged the students to think twice before going out and making the same mistakes. Kelli, who attend Weir High School, shared a story about a crash that occurred just a few miles from the high school. Olexia explianed, "I had a friend who was killed as a result of a drunk driver, and my friend wasn't even drinking." Olexia continues, "If you're not going to think about yourself, at least think about the innocent people on the road."
Statistics show that, on average, during the weekend 1 person every 8 minutes is killed as a result of a drunk driver. To put this into perspective, the students at Weirton Madonna High School symbolized a death from a drunk driver every 8 minutes during the school day by tying a black arm band on randomly selected students. At the end of the program, 60 of the 150 students had "died" as a result of a drunk driver - 40% of the student body in one day! Wilson left this thought with the students, " "Make the safe decision and don't drink and drive, and don't let others make that mistake either." "When you make the safe decision, you're saving a life." "It might be your own, a neighbor, or someone you don't even know."
The Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose program has already visited a number of OVAC high schools this year, including Beallsville, Monroe Central (assembly), Wheeling Park, Frontier, Valley, and now Weirton Madonna. In addition, a mock crash and trial has been organized at Monroe Central closer to prom season. For more information on the Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose program, or to arrange a visit to your school or organization, contact the law offices of Gold, Khourey & Turak at (304) 845-9750 or toll free at (800) 388-2529.