Latest news with #MothersAgainstDrunkDriving
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
P.E.I. woman, 1 of many arrested last weekend for impaired driving, tested 3.6 times over limit
Police in Prince Edward Island arrested several people for impaired driving over the weekend, with one in particular allegedly testing over three times the legal limit of alcohol. Saturday and Sunday, the P.E.I. RCMP made eight arrests, with just two being for non-impaired related offences. Cpl. Gavin Moore, the media relations officer for the P.E.I. RCMP, said it's uncommon to see so many alcohol-related driving offences in one cluster. "We have seen in recent years that a significant number of our impaired arrests are impaired by cannabis and other drugs," he said. "Over this weekend, these were all alcohol-related." Moore said the one drivers, a 45-year woman, allegedly recorded a blood-alcohol reading reading of 0.29 on Saturday. That's more than three-and-a-half times the legal limit of 0.08. "That's a very high reading, he said. "Beyond that is quite often lethal for people." Moore said the RCMP expects to see more cases of impaired driving as the summer tourism season begins. "There are only so many police to address impaired driving," he said. "We do our best to have a strong presence on Island roads, but it is even more vital that Islanders know that 911 is there for any time you see a potential impaired driver." Summerside collision leads to impaired charges Police in Summerside also responded to a rear-end collision that allegedly involved impaired driving on Saturday. Near the scene, officers found a black sport-utility vehicle, which had been the subject of an earlier erratic driving complaint, in the yard of a residence on Granville Street. The SUV had come to rest against a shed with all of its airbags deployed. Bystanders pointed officers to the driver, a 31-year-old man from Ontario, who police said showed signs of impairment by alcohol. The man was issued a seven-day driving suspension, his vehicle was impounded and he was released on a surety — money that will be forfeited if he fails to comply with the conditions of his release. The man will appear in court at a future date to answer to charges related to impaired driving. 'It is disappointing' Karen Clinton, president of the King and Queens chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in P.E.I., she said she hopes Islanders make more responsible decisions when deciding to drive. "It is disappointing. We hope with the information we're sharing with MADD and the messages that we're trying to get out that people will make smart choices and have a sober drive prepared," she said. "With the culture that we have, drinking is a part of that and people enjoy some drinks while partaking in... activities. We would like to see more people be more responsible." Clinton echoed sentiments from MADD Canada CEO Steve Sullivan, who is advocating for the P.E.I. government to implement immediate licence suspensions for those who fail a roadside screening test for alcohol or drugs. "We know that the provincial government is very supportive of this, it's going through legislation right now and we're working out details," she said. "It results in immediate consequences, which kind of makes people think more about whether or not they want to risk their vehicle getting taken away along with those other consequences that comes with that."
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Vermont families turn grief into action with Ride for Olivia Miles
Two families forever changed by impaired driving are coming together to take action. The family of Elana Korey, a 20-year-old college student killed on July 28, 2024, has been invited to join the May 31 Ride for Olivia Miles, a remembrance and awareness event honoring 6-year-old Olivia, who was also tragically killed by an impaired driver, according to a community announcement. The weekend of Elana's death, she had been an invited guest of the impaired driver's family at their private home in Stowe. Hours later, she lost her life when the driver, Sean Delaney, was highly intoxicated and speeding at 110 mph, resulting in a single-car crash on Interstate 89 northbound, approximately 2.5 miles from Exit 10, according to Vermont State Police. Due to the severity of the crash, it took nearly two weeks for Elana to be identified and brought home. This year, the Ride for Olivia Miles will include Elana's crash site as part of its memorial route, symbolizing a shared commitment to stop the silence, negligence and normalization of impaired driving. The ride brings together communities, victims' families and advocates for stronger public awareness and safer choices behind the wheel. In tandem with the ride, the Korey family is launching Project 802, a nationwide initiative under the Ollie's Angels Foundation. Named after Vermont's only area code, Project 802 seeks to educate, empower and prevent tragedies like these by encouraging young people to 'Catch a Safe Ride,' intervene when a friend is at risk and hold each other accountable before lives are lost. 'This isn't just about Vermont. Reckless and impaired driving is killing people across the country — and no family should have to endure what we are living through; it is a nightmare we cannot wake from,' said Elana's mother, Alice Korey. 'We're honored to join the Miles family in remembrance and in action.' The Ride for Olivia Miles will take place on Saturday, May 31, and is open to riders, families and advocates across Vermont for either the ride or a fundraiser remembrance at Arrowhead Golf Course in Milton following the ride. All proceeds support awareness campaigns and educational outreach with Mothers Against Drunk Driving. 'Elana didn't die in an accident — she died because others made a series of reckless choices,' Alice Korey said. 'She trusted the wrong people, and it cost her everything. We stand with the Miles family because this has to stop.' For more information about the Ride for Olivia Miles or Ollie's Angels Foundation, visit and This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at or share your thoughts at with our News Automation and AI team. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont families unite to fight impaired driving after tragic losses
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bonne Terre Grandmother has success changing laws in other states, but not her own
ST. CHARLES, Mo. — Cecilia Williams has been pushing for law changes since experiencing an unthinkable tragedy in 2021. Her son, daughter-in-law, and one of her grandchildren were killed by a drunk driver. 'Missouri has an extremely huge problem with impaired driving,' she said. Williams said what's become 'Bentley's Law' has passed in other states but failed to pass again in Missouri. The state's legislative session ended on Thursday. The law would require impaired offenders who take the lives of parents to pay child support to caregivers left to care for surviving children. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The law is named after one of the surviving children Williams is caring for. 'Financially, a lot of people can't afford it, but with Bentley's law, it gives them the extra support that is needed,' Williams said. She attended a banquet in St. Charles on Thursday night, hosted by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The awards ceremony honored 133 members of law enforcement for their dedication to impaired driving enforcement. Jerod Breit, MADD's regional executive director, credits Williams' determination for other states passing legislation she's fighting for. 'She's been triumphant across the country and even outside the United States when it comes to Benley's Law,' he said. Williams said that states that have passed the law include Tennessee, Kentucky, Maine, Texas, Utah, South Dakota and Montana. She said the law has even passed in the Cayman Islands and South Korea. 'There's no reason why Missouri cannot pass this important piece of legislation to help families who really need it,' she said. First responders discover body following house fire Breit said MADD and the agency's supporters pushed for several measures aimed at reducing impaired driving in Missouri, but the effort failed despite overwhelming support from lawmakers and near unanimous support in the House, where the measure easily passed. 'Unfortunately, it didn't make it through in the Senate,' Breit said. Williams blamed political bickering for the measure failing to pass before the session ended. She and Breit vow to push again for a change in Missouri's law when the next legislative session starts in January. State Senator Mike Henderson sponsored SB 235 and supported the effort to pass the legislation. He said, 'I am very disappointed. I do not believe it had anything to do with Benley's Law or actually the bill itself. We just ran out of time.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Paint like MADD event raises awareness of drunk driving
FLORISSANT, Mo. – Mother's Day is a time to celebrate, but for a Florissant mom, it also marks a painful anniversary. Deborah Weinstein lost her son, David, to a drunk driver in 2011—just before Mother's Day and his 30th birthday. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'I have been doing this for 14 years in honor of my son to keep his memory alive, and it just does not seem to get better,' Weinstein said. For Weinstein, every may brings back the same pain. Weinstein told FOX 2 her son was sideswiped near the Mills Mall Highway 370 and taken off the road. He survived for a couple of days. The driver pleaded guilty and went to prison. Deborah chose to fight this weekend, hosting a paint-like party along with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). This gathering is a healing event where survivors, supporters and families impacted by drunk driving come together to paint in memory of loved ones. 'I work with MADD and devote my time and volunteer to help them with everything they do to raise awareness and raise funds for people,' Weinstein said. The Paint like MADD event will take place this Saturday at the St. Ann Community Center. 'MADD is all about ending impaired driving for good. One of the ways that we do that is by hosting events that bring the community together and this is an opportunity for victims, survivors, and community members to come together and understand what MADD is and keep our roadways safe,' Aaprara Mills said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
MADD Spring Picnic event gives support to those affected by drunk driving
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Many who have been affected by crashes as a result of drunk driving gathered in Albuquerque Saturday for the third annual Spring Picnic. The picnic is hosted by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office. Two big New Mexico brands up for sale as owner looks toward retirement Officials say these events help them reach people in need and share the resources there are if they have been affected by a drunk driving crash. 'I like to say we invite people to the most inclusive club that no one wants to join because the price of admission is that somebody they love has passed away,' says Deb Garrison, executive director of the Grief Center. 'It's important that we get the information out, its awareness. Events like this help us let the community know what resources are available.' Along with those resources, people in attendance were able to get food and quality outdoor time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
