MPH sponsors ‘DWI Night’ at FM; Solvay mom to talk about her tragedy

Published: Friday, December 03, 2010

“DWI Night,” a special program on safe and responsible driving and the consequences of driving while intoxicated will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 in the Fayetteville-Manlius High School auditorium. The free event is sponsored by Manlius Pebble Hill school.

The event will address topics ranging from seat belt laws and rules regarding child car seats to responsible decision-making about drugs and alcohol. Eugene Conway, DeWitt’s police chief; Randy Andrews, DeWitt police youth education officer; Onondaga County Senior Assistant District Attorney Chris Bednarski; and Fayetteville Village Court Judge Thomas J. Miller will take part.

They will talk to drivers and their parents about what happens when a police officer stops a driver for suspected use of drugs or alcohol, about the prosecution of impaired drivers, and about what happens to DWI offenders in the courtroom.

Mary Litz, of Solvay, will be a special guest speaker and will talk about her own family’s nightmare. Her 24-year old son, Erik Kohler, was killed in January of 2009 by a driver impaired by both drugs and alcohol.

Debbie Kogut, of Onondaga County Health Safety, and Bob West, head instructor in MPH’s driver education program, will also be a part of the program, which will be moderated by Donald Barrett, director of the Community Network Program.