Crash Survivor Urges Teens to 'Make the Right Choice' About Alcohol
Brandon Silveria was an outgoing teen full of plans for the future until he crashed his car after drinking at age 17 and became permanently disabled.
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November 19, 2009
Brandon Silveria was an outgoing teen full of plans for the future until he crashed his car after drinking at age 17 and became permanently disabled. Today, he travels across America speaking to students in hopes of warning them about the dangers of underage drinking and drunk driving.
One of his recent appearances took him to Fenton High School in Chicago where he talked about the importance of "making the right choice" about alcohol and driving. To illustrate his point he described how he fell asleep at the wheel after he had a few beers at a party, crashed into a tree and spent three months in a coma with a severe injury that left him brain damaged.
"When I was 17, I had a job and a girlfriend [but because] of my crash, I lost both of them," the 39-year-old said. "My hope is that by sharing my experiences with other young people, I can prevent others from being hurt or killed."
As November is Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, it may be worth remembering that about three in every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, an advocacy organization that accepts donations. In 2008, an estimated 11,773 people died in car accidents caused by intoxication.
Experts say those who have sat behind the wheel while drunk should seek counseling. Meanwhile, partygoers who consume alcohol should designate one person who does not drink as a driver or use alternative means of transportation such as a taxi or bus.
It is possible for survivors and their families to thrive again after a traumatic accident, and resources such as the Crash Survivors Network may be able to provide valuable assistance.
Brandon Silveria was an outgoing teen full of plans for the future until he crashed his car after drinking at age 17 and became permanently disabled. Today, he travels across America speaking to students in hopes of warning them about the dangers of underage drinking and drunk driving.
One of his recent appearances took him to Fenton High School in Chicago where he talked about the importance of "making the right choice" about alcohol and driving. To illustrate his point he described how he fell asleep at the wheel after he had a few beers at a party, crashed into a tree and spent three months in a coma with a severe injury that left him brain damaged.
"When I was 17, I had a job and a girlfriend [but because] of my crash, I lost both of them," the 39-year-old said. "My hope is that by sharing my experiences with other young people, I can prevent others from being hurt or killed."
As November is Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, it may be worth remembering that about three in every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, an advocacy organization that accepts donations. In 2008, an estimated 11,773 people died in car accidents caused by intoxication.
Experts say those who have sat behind the wheel while drunk should seek counseling. Meanwhile, partygoers who consume alcohol should designate one person who does not drink as a driver or use alternative means of transportation such as a taxi or bus.
It is possible for survivors and their families to thrive again after a traumatic accident, and resources such as the Crash Survivors Network may be able to provide valuable assistance.
