DUI Driver Gets 11 Year Term

Anthony Giglio was sentenced last week to 11 years in prison for his role in a DUI manslaughter accident that occurred last year. Giglio had left West Palm Beach’s City Place after a night of drinking which left his blood alcohol content (BAC) at an astonishing .243; more than three times the legal limit.

According to Heather Bisbee, a passenger in Giglio’s vehicle, when she warned him of the upcoming red light, his response was “Watch this!” He proceeded to run his Cadillac SUV through the intersection where he connected with the passenger side of a Ford Mustang carrying 31 year-old Sandy Suarez. Her heart is said to have torn apart from the impact of the crash, causing her to die at the scene of the collision.

In the courtroom, Giglio took full responsibility for the collision and was sentenced to 11 years for what the judge referred to as an “…unquestionable human tragedy.” Circuit Judge David Crow then asked Giglio to honor the victim by addressing to her loved-ones how his actions caused the senseless death and ruined two families, including his own.

Upon completion of his prison term, Giglio will serve 18 months’ probation and 200 hours of community service where he will speak to school groups, community and civic organizations about the dangers of drinking and driving.

After sentencing, “Hopefully during this time your actions will prevent someone like yourself from getting into a car and driving while intoxicated,” Crow told Giglio. “And hopefully, just hopefully, your actions will save someone’s life, and in the future, it will save some degree of a family like the one suffering today.”

This week we will celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends. Many celebrations begin on Wednesday night, sometimes referred to as ‘Black Wednesday’ and unofficially considered the busiest bar night of the year also ending up as the biggest night of the year for drunk driving. Each year the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) runs the Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving holiday campaign to build awareness and hopefully stop drivers from getting behind the wheel after drinking.

How to Avoid a DUI

1. Only drive when you are sober
2. Plan a sober ride home
3. Identify a designated driver before going out for the evening
4. Give your car keys to someone who is not going to be drinking
5. Program the number of a local taxi service into your phone
6. Check your local area for a sober driver program
   • Research sites like www.dryver.com for rates and to see how their program works

DUI Statistics

1. During the 2012 (most recent data) holiday period, there were 1,829 people killed in crashes
2. 31% of those fatalities were in drunk-driving crashes
3. 830 people lost their lives in crashes involving a drunk driver in December, 2012
   • In every state it’s illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher

You cannot accurately calculate your BAC based on the number of drinks you’ve hadThe Steinger, Greene, & Feiner family encourages you to take every chance to make good, responsible decisions this holiday season. As you are partaking in festivities with family and friends, be mindful of how much alcohol you are consuming; and watch for friends and loved-ones who may have had too much to drink. Taking precautions and planning ahead may save a life.

Photo Credit: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/crime-law/wellington-man-faces-dui-charges-after-allegedly-c/nW9rT/