Cover credit – Cait Crudden
State Senator Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk) and Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point) hosted a powerful and emotional “Choices and Consequences” event this past week, aimed at educating teens and their families about the life-altering impacts of reckless driving. The event, designed to raise awareness about the dangers of drunk, drugged, and reckless driving, was a stark reminder of the importance of responsible behavior behind the wheel.
Held in collaboration with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, the event featured a presentation that outlined the devastating consequences of impaired and reckless driving. Using real-life examples, the district attorney’s office highlighted the catastrophic outcomes that can result from poor decisions on the road. The hope was that these harrowing stories would leave a lasting impression on attendees and help prevent future tragedies on Suffolk County’s notoriously dangerous roads.
Bureau Chief of Vehicular Crime Carl Borelli made the presentation to the attendees. His goal was to promote healthy, good choices and to get young people to not make bad decisions while driving and must deal with the consequences which affect theirs and other families. He goes around to local high schools, presenting to juniors and seniors in high schools and informing them to stay vigilant, especially in the 100 most deadly days between Memorial and Labor Day.
The most emotional part of the event came when the family of Andrew McMorris, a young boy who was tragically killed by a drunk driver in 2018, took the stage. Alisa, John, and Arianna McMorris, Andrew’s mother, father, and sister, shared their story of unimaginable loss, describing how one person’s choice to drive under the influence shattered their lives forever.
The McMorris family’s heartbreaking testimony had a profound impact on the audience. Alisa McMorris spoke of the emotional toll of losing her son and the pain her family endures every day. “This stops by changing hearts and minds,” she said. Alisa continued, emphasizing that her family’s mission is to prevent other families from enduring the same heartbreak. This family is coming up on the sixth anniversary of losing Andrew. His mother shared that as Andrew left this world, while they played his favorite song, the ukulele version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” they made a promise that they would do everything possible to make sure this wouldn’t happen to another family. The family established the Andrew McMorris Foundation after his death. She spoke of her advocacy and good relationship with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and support of the RIDE and HALT Acts.
Suffolk County has earned a sobering distinction: it is home to the deadliest roads in New York State. The county has seen an alarming number of fatalities due to drunk, drugged, and reckless driving. Senator Palumbo, who has been a staunch advocate for road safety, reiterated the importance of events like “Choices and Consequences” in addressing this pressing issue.
Senator Palumbo spoke of his father being a detective and his personal experience with the District Attorney’s Office handling vehicular homicides.
“People’s lives change forever because of one stupid decision,” said Palumbo.
Legislator Chad Lennon, a Marine reservist and advocate for Veterans and public safety, stressed the need for accountability and responsibility among young drivers.
“It takes a split-second decision,” said Lennon. “Bad decisions lead to horrible outcomes that we don’t want to see again”.
The “Choices and Consequences” event was not just a lesson in road safety, it was a call to action. The McMorris family, Senator Palumbo, Legislator Lennon, and the District Attorney’s Office hope that through continued education and advocacy, they can make Suffolk County’s roads safer for all and reduce the number of tragedies caused by reckless driving.
The goal is clear: To save lives and create a generation that fully understands the devastating consequences of driving under the influence and to ensure that no other family must experience the loss the McMorris family has endured.
