DUI Times 2

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEBRASKA STATE PATROL
www.nsp.state.ne.us
Contact: Deb Collins 402-479-4985
September 24, 2009

 Father and Son Arrested for Driving Impaired 

(North Platte, NE)-  A 53-year-old Gothenburg man was arrested for driving under the influence after bailing his 19-year-old son out of jail for the same charge.

Around 1:30 a.m., on Saturday, September 19, 2009, a trooper stopped a 1997 Buick Skylark for a broken taillight at 1^st and Washington Streets in Gothenburg.  The driver of the vehicle, 19-year-old Trevor Brown of Gothenburg, was found to be intoxicated and was arrested for Driving While Impaired and Minor in Possession of Alcohol.   Brown was transported and lodged in the Dawson County Jail in Lexington.   While in jail, the younger Brown called his father to come and get him.

Shortly after 3:30 a.m., Saturday, September 19, 2009, 53-year-old Anthony Brown, of Gothenburg, arrived at the jail to bail his son out.   A trooper at the jail observed the elder Brown to be intoxicated and warned him not to drive.   About 45 minutes later, the trooper observed Anthony Brown and his son leave the jail and get into a 2001 Dodge Ram Pickup, with the elder Brown driving the vehicle.   The trooper stopped the pickup and arrested Anthony Brown for Driving Under the Influence.  The elder Brown was then lodged in the Dawson County Jail.

“These arrests show parental actions do have an influence on our children,” said Captain Jim Parish, Troop D Commander.  “I want to commend our troopers for continuing to work the situation.  By doing so, we were able to take two impaired drivers off our streets, and possibly save lives in the process.”

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DUI In The News – A Good Thing

This week KOLN/KGIN is running a week long segment on “DUI:The Hangover” http://www.kolnkgin.com/home/headlines/51829797.html.  On behalf of MADD, I want to thank those who have spoke out, during this DUI segment,  about the violent crime that DUI presents to our community.  Thanks to Chief Tom Casady http://lpd304.blogspot.com/, Lincoln Police Department, for speaking candidly about the amount of resources needed (tax payers dollars) to stop drunk driving, the public safety threat that drunk drivers present to innocent victims and the unimagianble loss when a community member is seriously injured or killed.

Chief Tom Casady

I want to encourage you to watch all of the segments to better understand ALL that has been accomplished and we certainly have more to do.  Nevertheless, let’s not lose sight of the good news and that is alcohol-related deaths in Nebraska in 2008 had a 30% decline, from 92 to 67.  That is something to acknowledge.  Much of the decline can be attributed to enforcement, enforcement, enforcement.  Thanks goes out to law enforcement for being viglient and not tolerating drunk driving in our communities.  More thanks goes to prosecutors for holding the offender accountable and then continued thanks goes to probation officers as they work to ensure we do not have an individual reoffend.

MADD knows all too well the cost of drunk driving all you need to do is visit our tribute pagehttp://www.maddnebraska.org/tributes to understand the pain and loss of family members, friends and communities when an alcohol-related crash hits home.

We help survivors survive

If you or someone you know is a victim of drunk driving and would like to have support please call MADD Nebraska, 800-444-6233, we are here to support you.

Simera Reynolds, M.Ed.

State Executive Director

MADD Recognizes 18 Individuals for Outstanding DWI Work

(Lincoln, NE)- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) will recognize 18 outstanding law enforcement officers, including 2 prosecutors at their 10^th Annual “Outstanding Law Enforcement Award” ceremony, Thursday, May 28^th at The Cornhusker Hotel at 4:00 p.m.

Awards will be presented to: Deputy County Attorney Stephanie Hansen, Sarpy County Attorney’s Office, Deputy County Attorney Mandy Trout, Colfax County Attorney’s Office, Trooper Glen Waddle and David “Matt” Ramsey, Troop B, NSP, Headquarters Troop, Nebraska State Patrol, Troop A, Nebraska State Patrol, Lexington Night Shift, Nebraska State Patrol, Carrier Enforcement, Nebraska State Patrol, Midnight Accident Unit, Omaha Police Department, Trooper Doug Petty, McCook Sergeant Area, NSP, Trooper Mike Thorson, Troop B, NSP, Trooper Dave Hunter, Troop E, NSP, Trooper Kaleb Bruggeman, Headquarters Troop, NSP, Trooper Jason Morris, Troop B, NSP, Trooper Brandon Viterna, Troop B, NSP, Deputy Jeremy Jones, Hall County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Kyle Coughlin, Saunders County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Joseph Martinec, Jr., Douglas County Sherriff’s Office, Officer Adam Turnbull, Omaha Police Department.

One of the most impressive winners is: The Midnight Accident Unit of the Omaha Police Department who worked as a team to make an astounding 945 DUI arrests from January 2008-December 2008. “Their work no doubt saved lives in the greater metro area”, add Simera Reynolds, Executive Director.

First Lady Sally Ganem, MADD State Chair, stated “It is always a pleasure to recognize those individuals who work tirelessly to ensure that our roads are safe to travel on a daily basis. We continue to see the number of alcohol-related deaths decline and we owe much to those who consistently enforce our DWI/MIP laws”.

“This award ceremony is a special time to let family and friends know how much MADD appreciates the diligent work done by the award winners”, commented Reynolds. There are many times when law enforcement put work in front of family. Today is a day to thank the families for their support continued Reynolds.

In 2008, there were 65 alcohol-related fatalities in the state, one of the lowest numbers recorded.  For MADD, one alcohol-related crash is too many but it is a welcome trend to see the numbers decline. MADD encourages everyone across the state to drive safe, sober and buckled up during the 100 days of summer.

Simera Reynolds

State Executive Director

Another NU Football Player Cited for DWI

I am saddened that a sports figure in our state would go out and drive drunk  only 72 hours after a major sports figure, and two others, were cut down by a repeat drunk driver in California.  I know what everyone thinks  – it will never happen to them.  I don’t want to preach – I just know all too well drunk driving does not discriminate.  

Mr. Paul needs to take a step back and consider himself  fortunate that he didn’t seriously injure himself or somebody’s mom.

http://www.action3news.com/Global/story.asp?S=10176559&nav=menu550_2

Don’t think the irony doesn’t hit home hard when you consider that Joba Chamberlain was just setenced  here in our state for drunk driving – a Yankee’s Pitcher.  When you make the choice to play sports, be it collegiate or professional, you make the choice to set an example – like it or not.

Simera Reynolds

Executive Director