Recipes for the Road 2014

Community Traffic Safety Team The Community Traffic Safety Team (CTST) Program is a multi-disciplinary federal, state, and local government-endorsed program developed to reduce the number of traffic crashes that occur on Florida roadways. The program was created in response to the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1990, federal legislation that calls for local participation and solutions to traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities on local roadways.

Our CTST membership consists of professionals in four disciplines: Law Enforcement, Engineering, Emergency Services, and Education. We possess the resources and skills to directly impact the epidemic problems that Florida faces on our roadways.

Armed with carefully-developed missions, goals, and objectives, our committees undertake projects and activities and serve as a resource to any and all communities, local government agencies, and roadway users to assist in the reduction of traffic crashes and related injuries and fatalities on our roadways.

For more information, contact: FDOT District Seven CTST Coordinator 11201 N. McKinley Drive Tampa, FL 33612 (813) 975-6256

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Moschello’s 3772 S. Suncoast Blvd.

Homosassa, FL 34448

Papa Joe’s 6244 Spring Lake Highway Brooksville, FL 34601

Columbia Restaurant 2117 E. 7th Ave. Tampa, FL 33605 Donatello 232 N. Dale Mabry Tampa, FL 33609 Antonio’s Pasta Grille 11401 N. 56th Street Tampa, FL 33616 Big Foot on the River 7201 40th Street Tampa, FL 33604

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Firehouse Grill & Pub 8814 N. 56th Street Temple Terrace, FL 33617 Gator’s Dockside 5840 E. Fowler Avenue Tampa, FL 33617

Green Iguana Bar & Grill 1708 E. 7th Avenue Tampa, FL 33605 Hamburger Mary’s Bar and Grille 1600 E. 7th Avenue Centro Ybor Tampa, FL 33605

Tally Ho Pub 7402 N. 56th Street Suite 902 Tampa, FL 33617

Benedetto’s 21529 Village Lakes Shopping Center Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639 Boondocks Bar, Grill & Pizzeria 8530 Moon Lake Road New Port Richey, FL 34654

Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill 1320 Central Avenue St. Petersburg, FL 33705 Neptune Grill 5501 Shore Blvd. S. Gulfport, FL 33707 Sea Hag’s Bar and Grill 9555 Blind Pass Rd. St. Pete Beach, FL 33706

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FDOT District Seven CTST Officers Hillsborough CTST • Jamie Sweeney Chairperson • Gary Tait Vice-Chairperson

West Central Florida CTST

Pasco CTST

• Steve Diez Chairperson

• Bob Reck Chairperson • Mike Bunk Vice-Chairperson

• Ken Perez Vice-Chairperson • Susan Littnan Secretary

Pinellas CTST • Marc Hanger Chairperson • Robert Davis Vice-Chairperson • Karen Macauley Secretary

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Plymouth Rock • • • • •

2 tbsp. fat-free half-and-half 1 tsp. SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener Dash ground cinnamon ¾ cup hot brewed Hazelnut Flavored Coffee (double strength) 2 tbsp. thawed COOL WHIP Sugar Free Whipped Topping

Preparation: microwave first 3 ingredients in microwaveable mug on high 15 sec. or until heated through. Stir in coffee. Top with COOL WHIP.

Celebration • • • • •

4 ½ cups water ¾ cup sugar ½ cup agave nectar 1 cup coarsely chopped cilantro 2 large jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped (about ½ cup)

• • • • •

2 tbsp. sugar ¼ tsp. salt 9 lime wedges, divided 1 ½ cups fresh lime juice (about 10 limes) 4 cups ice

1600 E. 7th Avenue Centro Ybor Tampa, FL 33605

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7201 40th Street Tampa, FL 33604

Preparation: 1. Combine the first three ingredients in a medium saucepan over mediumhigh heat; bring to a boil. Remove from heat, stir in cilantro and jalapeno.

Let stand 30 minutes. Pour jalapeno mixture into a large bowl; cover and chill at least 3 hours.

2. Combine 2 tbsp. sugar and salt in a shallow dish. Rub rims of 8 glasses with one lime wedge. Dip the rims of the glasses in the sugar mixture.

3. Strain cilantro mixture through a fine sieve over a bowl, discarding solids.

Stir in lime juice. Fill each prepared glass with ½ cup of ice. Add ¾ cup limeade to each glass. Garnish with remaining 8 lime wedges.

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Bandana Man • • • •

3 heaping scoops lemonade mix (any brand) 2 cups cold water 2 cups pineapple juice 1 bottle (liter) club soda or seltzer

Preparation: measure drink mix into cup just to 2-quart line. Pour into large pitcher. Add water and pineapple juice. Stir until powder is completely dissolved. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Stir in club soda just before serving.

1600 E. 7th Avenue Centro Ybor Tampa, FL 33605

Walk the Plank • • • • •

1 gallon apple cider 1 packet Crystal Light Sunrise Classic Orange Drink Mix 4 cinnamon sticks 2 tsp. whole cloves ½ tsp. nutmeg

Preparation: heat all ingredients in a large saucepan on low for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally (do not boil). Discard cinnamon sticks and cloves before serving. Serve over ice in tall glasses. Garnish with a fresh pineapple spear.

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7201 40th Street Tampa, FL 33604

Parade Pleaser • • • •

4 scoops lemonade powdered drink mix 3 cups cold water 2 cups cold pineapple juice 1 cup cream of coconut

Preparation: measure drink mix into pitcher. Add water; stir until mix is dissolved. Stir in remaining ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

8814 N. 56th Street Temple Terrace, FL 33617

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Antonio’s Pineapple Madness • • • •

½ cup pineapple juice ¼ cup Sprite ¼ cup ginger ale Splash of grenadine

Preparation: combine all ingredients in a glass with ice. Add blueberries and cherries as garnish. Enjoy!!!

11401 N. 56th Street Tampa, FL 33616

First Down • • •

1 bottle (48 oz.) cranberry juice 2 cans (any brand) pink lemonade 1 bottle (1 liter) seltzer, chilled

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Preparation: mix together. Serve over ice.

7201 40th Street Tampa, FL 33604

Field Goal • • •

2 oz. orange juice 2 oz. pineapple juice 2 oz. cranberry juice

Preparation: combine juices in a large glass with ice.

Bottoms up!

8814 N. 56th Street Temple Terrace, FL 33617

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Boondocks Go Go Juice • • • • • 8530 Moon Lake Road New Port Richey, FL 34654

Coffee Sugar Milk Ice Whipped cream

Preparation: while coffee is still hot, add sugar and stir. Put a small amount of milk in a blender and blend to fluffy consistency. Add ice, coffee mixture, and a small amount of whipped cream. Blend together and serve.

Quarterback Punch • • • •

1600 E. 7th Avenue Centro Ybor Tampa, FL 33605

4 tsp. chocolate syrup 8 Oreo cookies, divided 1½ cups milk 2 cups vanilla ice cream, softened

Preparation: spoon 1 tsp. syrup into each of 4 glasses. Roll each glass to coat bottom and inside of glass. Finely chop 4 cookies and put aside. Cut the remaining cookies into quarters and place in blender. Add milk and ice cream; blend until smooth. Pour into prepared glasses; top with chopped cookies. Serve immediately.

Instant Replay • • • • • • 7402 N. 56th Street Suite 902 Tampa, FL 33617

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½ lime Fresh mint leaves 2 small pieces watermelon pulp 3 tbsp. Watermelon MixyBar Syrup Chopped ice cubes Soda, seltzer or sparkling water

Preparation: crush fresh fruit, add MixyBar Syrup, pour into a tumbler with ice, fill with soda, seltzer, or sparkling water. Stir and decorate with fruit.

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Heartbreaker open

• • •

7201 40th Street Tampa, FL 33604

¼ cup Country Time Strawberry Lemonade Drink Mix 3 cups cold cranberry-apple drink 1 cup cold club soda

Preparation: mix ingredients together in pitcher, stir until dissolved. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve over ice in 4 tall glasses. .

Just Peachy • • • • • • 1600 E. 7th Avenue Centro Ybor Tampa, FL 33605

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5 cups cold water 1 cup orange juice 1 packet peach-flavor Crystal Light mix 2 fresh peaches, sliced 1 cup fresh raspberries 1 cup fresh blueberries

Preparation: add water and juice to drink mix in large pitcher; stir until mix is dissolved. Stir in fruit.

Serve over ice.

4 Leaf Clover • • • • 1600 E. 7th Avenue Centro Ybor Tampa, FL 33605

4 heaping scoops lime-flavor drink mix (any brand) 6 cups cold water 1 bottle (liter) ginger ale 1 qt. lime sherbet

Preparation: measure drink mix into pitcher, add water. Stir until dissolved. Pour in ginger ale. Top with small scoops of sherbet.

Blarney Bliss • • • • • 8814 N. 56th Street Temple Terrace, FL 33617

2 cups boiling water 1 pkg. (3 oz.) green Jello gelatin 1 jar marshmallow crème 2 cups apple juice 1½ cups mini marshmallows

Preparation: add boiling water to gelatin mix in medium bowl; stir until completely dissolved. Gradually add to marshmallow crème in large bowl, beating with mixer after each addition until well blended. Stir in juice. Pour evenly into 12 plastic cups. Use the back of a spoon to gently press 2 tbsp. marshmallows into gelatin mixture in each cup. Freeze 1 hour or until almost firm.

Lucky Leprechaun open

7201 40th Street Tampa, FL 33604

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1 cup boiling water 1 pkg. (3 oz.) green Jello gelatin

• •

2 cups cold water 1 bottle (1 liter) lime soda

Preparation: stir boiling water into dry gelatin mix in medium bowl at least 2 minutes until gelatin is completely dissolved. Stir in cold water. Refrigerate 3 hours or until firm. Break gelatin into small flakes with fork. Spoon about ⅓ cup of gelatin into seven 8-oz. glasses. Pour about ½ cup of cold beverage over gelatin in each glass. Serve with straw to sip gelatin pieces and beverage.

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7201 40th Street Tampa, FL 33604

Cheers to Cinco de Mayo Babies!

• • • • • •

½ cup fresh lemon juice ½ cup water 6 tbsp. sugar 3 ½ cups water 2 cups diced peeled honeydew melon Ice

Preparation: start with fresh lemon juice in a pitcher. Combine ½ cup water and sugar in a bowl; microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes. Stir until sugar dissolves; cool. Combine sugar mixture, 3 ½ cups water, and honeydew melon in a blender, process until smooth.

Press through a fine sieve over pitcher with lemon juice, and serve over ice.

Mexican Border • • • •

21529 Village Lakes Shopping Center Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639

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4 oz. Island Oasis Piña Colada Mix 4 oz. Island Oasis Strawberry Daiquiri Mix 2 oz. pineapple juice 1 cup ice

Preparation: place both mixes in blender with pineapple juice and ice. Blend and enjoy!

Pear-Fect Smoothie • • • • •

1 banana ½ cup soy milk ½ cup unsweetened apple juice ¼ cup peeled and chopped pear ¼ cup blueberries

Preparation: put banana, soy milk, apple juice, pear and blueberries in a blender; mix until smooth. Pour into a glass and drink up!

1600 E. 7th Avenue Centro Ybor, Tampa, FL 33605

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Homemade Cherry Soda • • • • • •

2 ( 12 oz.) packages frozen dark, sweet pitted cherries 1 ½ cups sugar 1 cup water ½ cup fresh lime juice ¼ cup liquid from jarred maraschino cherries 1 cup club soda

Preparation: bring cherries, water and sugar to boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer, stirring occasionally, 15 to 20 minutes or until cherries are tender. Let stand 30 minutes.

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7201 40th Street Tampa, FL 33604

Press mixture through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a pitcher, using the back of a spoon to squeeze out juices; discard pulp. Stir in lime juice and liquid from jarred maraschino cherries. Chill 2 to 24 hours. Stir together 3 tbsp. cherry mixture and 1 cup club soda for each serving. Serve over ice in 16 oz. glasses.

Blueberry and Basil Lemonade • • • • • •

½ cup fresh lemon juice 2 cups fresh blueberries ¼ cup torn fresh basil leaves 6 tbsp. granulated sugar 4 cups water Ice

Preparation: start with fresh lemon juice in a pitcher.

Combine blueberries, basil leaves, and granulated sugar in pitcher with lemon juice; muddle.

1600 E. 7th Avenue Centro Ybor Tampa, FL 33605

Add water, let stand 30 minutes. Press through a fine sieve into a medium bowl; discard solids. Return mixture to pitcher, and serve over ice.

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Richard’s No-Jito Recipe • • • •

2117 E. 7th Ave. Tampa, FL 33605

1 ¼ oz. mint simple syrup (recipe below) 10 fresh mint leaves 3 lime wedges Sprite

Preparation: build in a mojito glass. Add lime wedges, mint simple syrup and mint leaves and muddle well. Add ice and fill with Sprite. Garnish with lime wheel and sugar cane stick. Mix well using sugar cane.

Mint Simple Syrup Recipe • • •

1 cup sugar 1 cup water 1 ½ cups packed mint leaves

Preparation: chop mint leaves. In a sauce pan, bring sugar and water to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved.

Add mint and simmer 2 minutes. Pour through a sieve, pressing hard on the mint leaves and let cool. Syrup will keep covered and chilled up to 2 weeks. Makes 1 Richard’s No-Jito.

Fruity Fireworks • • • •

8814 N. 56th Street Temple Terrace, FL 33617

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2 cups water ½ cup lemonade powdered drink mix 3 cups chopped watermelon 1 cup ice cubes

Preparation: blend all ingredients in a blender on high speed until smooth. Serve immediately.

Goblin Goulash • • • • • • • 8814 N. 56th Street Temple Terrace, FL 33617

2 cups cold water 2 cups Hawaiian Punch 1 packet Crystal Light Lemonade Flavor Drink Mix 1 orange, sliced 1 apple, sliced 1 lime, sliced 2 cups cold club soda

Preparation: add water and Hawaiian Punch to drink mix in pitcher; stir. Stir in all remaining ingredients except club soda. Refrigerate several hours.

Add club soda just before serving; stir. Serve over ice.

Pumpkin Smoothie open

7201 40th Street Tampa, FL 33604

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• • • • • • •

1/3 cup canned pumpkin puree 1 cup plain yogurt (nonfat) ¾ cup apple cider ½ cup whole milk ¼ tsp. pumpkin-pie spice 3 tbsp. maple syrup ½ cup ice

Preparation: combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into 2 glasses and sprinkle with a dash of cinnamon.

Citrus County • • • • •

Hernando County • • • • •

Population: 173,104 Total Crashes: 1,995 DUI Crashes: 143 DUI Injury Crashes: 72 DUI Fatal Crashes: 6

All data information was taken from: • DHSMV (Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle) 2012 Traffic Crash Facts Annual Report.

• DHSMV DUI Citation Summaries Report 2012.

Population: 140,761 Total Crashes: 1,283 DUI Crashes: 101 DUI Injury Crashes: 48 DUI Fatal Crashes: 6

Population 1,256,118

Pasco County Population

Total Crashes

DUI Crashes

DUI Injury Crashes

468,562

6,001

428

266

Hillsborough County Total Crashes

DUI Crashes

DUI Injury Crashes

DUI Fatal Crashes

20,180

1,478

665

60

DUI Fatal Crashes 20

Pinellas County • • • • •

State Total Drug Related Crashes • Total Crashes: 1,798 • Injury Crashes: 1,435 • Fatal Crashes: 200

Population: 920,381 Total Crashes: 13,601 DUI Crashes: 1,113 DUI Injury Crashes: 475 DUI Fatal Crashes: 48

Rays Playoff Punch • • •

1 part Blue Rain Gatorade 1 part Sprite 1 part ginger ale

Preparation: mix all ingredients and shake.

Serve over ice.

1320 Central Avenue St. Petersburg, FL 33705

Thankful Tea • • • • 1600 E. 7th Avenue Centro Ybor, Tampa, FL 33605

1 cup Tang orange-flavor drink mix ⅓ cup instant tea 1 tsp. ground cinnamon ½ tsp. ground cloves

Preparation: mix ingredients. Store in a tightlycovered jar at room temperature. For each serving, place 1 tbsp. mix in large mug. Add ¾ cup boiling water. Stir until mix is dissolved.

Green Iguana Cooler • • • •

1708 E. 7th Avenue Centro Ybor Tampa, FL 33605

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2 oz. cranberry juice 1 oz. orange juice 1 oz. pineapple juice Club soda

Preparation: fill a tall glass with crushed ice. Add juices and a splash of club soda. Garnish with an orange and pineapple spear.

Halftime - Highlights • • • • • •

2 qts. apple juice 1 cup fresh lemon juice 1 qt. orange juice 1 bottle sparkling white-grape juiced, chilled 1 apple, thinly sliced 1 lemon, thinly sliced

Preparation: in a pitcher, combine apple and lemon juices immediately after juicing to keep the apple juice pink. Stir in orange juice; cover and chill. Just before serving, add grape juice and sliced fruit.

8814 N. 56th Street Temple Terrace, FL 33617

Virgin Hags Brew • • • •

3 oz. lemonade 3 oz. cranberry juice 2 oz. frozen raspberry drink mix Splash of soda water

Preparation: shake all ingredients and serve over ice.

9555 Blind Pass Rd. St. Pete Beach, FL 33706

Turkey Trot • • •

6 oz. Red Bull 1 oz. cranberry juice 1 oz. apple juice

Preparation: combine ingredients in a shaker.

Fill a 16 oz. glass with ice and add mixture.

Garnish with an orange slice or a feather.

7402 N. 56th Street Suite 902 Tampa, FL 33617

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Santa’s Chimney Buster • •

Vanilla ice cream Root beer

Preparation: fill a 16 oz. glass with vanilla ice cream, top with ice cold root beer. Add straw so Santa doesn’t spill it on his beard!

8814 N. 56th Street Temple Terrace, FL 33617

St. Nick’s Punch • • • • •

2 small grapefruits 2 juice oranges 2 tangerines ½ lime 2 pomegranates

Preparation: use a juicer to juice the grapefruit, oranges, tangerines, and lime. Juice the pomegranates in a separate bowl. Divide citrus juice among 3 glasses. Top with pomegranate juice, which will settle to the bottom. Garnish with a cherry.

7402 N. 56th Street Suite 902 Tampa, FL 33617

X-angria • • • • • •

1 orange 1 lemon 2 cherries 1 lime muddled with sugar 2 oz. pineapple juice 4 oz. Cran-Apple juice

Preparation: shake and serve in a goblet with a cinnamon rim.

5501 Shore Blvd. S Gulfport, FL 33707

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Apple Orchard Punch • • • • • 232 N. Dale Mabry Tampa, FL 33609

32 oz. apple juice 1 cup orange juice Cranberry frozen concentrate Sliced apples 1 ½ liters ginger ale

Preparation: mix all the above ingredients in a large pitcher. Stir until cranberry frozen concentrate is dissolved. Serve over ice and garnish with any seasonal fruit.

Berry Christmas Moschello’s

3772 S. Suncoast Blvd.

Homosassa, FL 34448

• • • •

1 liter of blood orange Italian soda 1 cup of raspberries ½ cup of orange sugar crystals ½ cup of honey

Preparation: add the honey to a shallow plate. Add the sugar crystals to another shallow plate. Neatly dip the top of each glass into the honey and then dip into the sugar. Pour the blood orange soda and top with a few raspberries. Note: if you can’t find blood orange Italian soda, mix sparkling water with blood orange juice and sweetener as needed with simple syrup.

Santa’s Little Helper • • •

1 oz. strawberry puree 5 oz. ginger ale Splash of lime

Preparation: fill a pint glass with ice. Add ingredients and shake to mix.

5840 E. Fowler Avenue Tampa, FL 33617

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Cappuccino Punch • • • • •

1 gallon milk 2 cups espresso ¼ cup hazelnut syrup ¼ cup vanilla syrup ½ gallon coffee ice cream

Preparation: mix milk, espresso, and syrups together in large punch bowl. Add medium-size scoops of ice cream. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

6244 Spring Lake Highway Brooksville, FL 34601

Rudolph’s Passion • • • •

1 tbsp. chocolate syrup 1 tbsp. caramel ice cream topping ¾ cup hot brewed coffee 2 tbsp. thawed cool whip topping

Preparation: place toppings in mug. Add hot coffee; stir until well blended. Top with cool whip.

1600 E. 7th Avenue Centro Ybor Tampa, FL 33605

Bah Humbug!

• • • • •

1 packet Crystal Light Raspberry Ice Drink Mix 4 cups cranberry juice 1 cup orange juice 1 cup white grape juice 2 cups club soda

Preparation: place all ingredients in a pitcher.

Stir until mixture is dissolved. Serve over ice.

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7201 40th Street Tampa, FL 33604

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Hernando County

Henry McCain, age 67, was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Five days a week, he worked as a funeral director, but on his days off he enjoyed riding his motorcycle. He rode with friends like himself who obeyed the law and followed the rules of the road.

On the morning of May 10, 2011, while riding his motorcycle in Hernando County, Henry was struck and killed by a 21-year-old woman under the influence of alcohol and prescription drugs. She had escaped from a Pasco County patrol car, almost killed a deputy in the process, and was being chased by Pasco County deputies. Ultimately, she was convicted in Pasco County of battery on an officer and given a sentence of 15 years.

In Hernando County, she was convicted of first degree felony murder and sentenced to life in prison. This woman could have sought help for her addiction to prescription medications. Everything she did leading up to my husband’s death was due to bad choices she made along the way.

There were many newspaper articles written about this incident, and the story was reported nationally. My husband was a good man. He worked hard for more than 40 years and was looking forward to retirement. When he was killed, he was only seven months away from full retirement, and we had already started making plans. My life without Henry is very different now. I miss him very much.

I hope this story is a wake-up call to all those who drive under the influence.

Remember, it’s all about choices. Choose to do the right thing and don’t drive under the influence. My heartfelt thanks to the Hernando County State Attorney’s Office, numerous friends, church family, and well-wishers in both Pasco County and Hernando County who were there for me and my family, offering prayers and words of comfort. It helped to make the past two years bearable. Thank you to Carole Dirksmeyer of MADD. She was an endless source of information!

Anita McCain Henry’s wife

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Hillsborough County

I remember seeing headlights. I had no idea those headlights would almost take my life in an instant. On November 17, 2012, I was hit head-on by a drunk driver. I had volunteered to stay late at work and was on my way home; he was on his way to his 4th bar. So, with 2½ times the legal limit of alcohol in his system, he changed my world. He spun me around 3 times, pushed me over 100 feet facing the other direction in the other lane, and crushed me so badly that firefighters spent an hour and a half trying to get me out and save my life. I was broken in every way possible. His truck rolled a couple of times and went through a fence. He was fine—so fine that he crawled out of his window and took off on foot, with no regard for my life. It’s hard to find the right words, words that could make someone more than just understand, words that could make someone feel what this tragedy has done to me and my entire life, to have someone feel what I’ve been through … but there are no right words.

One of the biggest things I’ve figured out is that I wasn’t in an accident. This wasn’t caused by an “accident.” People throw that word around out of habit, without really thinking about the meaning of it. He made a choice to drive that night—a choice to walk out of a bar, knowing he was drunk. Getting in his truck was a choice; starting it, driving down the road looking for his next drink were choices, not accidents. I was in a car crash, not a car accident—a crash caused and defined by someone else’s choices … tragic and illegal choices. It doesn’t get much more unfair than that.

Am I lucky to be alive? Absolutely! I broke more than 20 bones the second his headlights impacted mine. A dozen first responders cut at sections of my car to get me free. I was taken by helicopter to the hospital where I spent more than 16 hours in surgery. More than five months went by before I was able to stand up on one leg or take a single step.

Before the 8-month mark of recovery, I already had 19 different surgeries and procedures and spent more than 4 months in the hospital and in-patient physical rehab, and now I have constant out-patient physical therapy. My surgeons say I’ll never run

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again. Most days, I’m either in surgery, in a recovery room, in rehab, at physical therapy, at a doctor’s appointment, or sitting in a law office. I haven’t been able to work, I lost the place I lived, I lost my vehicle, and I am in severe medical debt, with that price tag growing everyday as I continue to need surgeries and face medical issues for the rest of my life.

The emotional and mental consequences are much more difficult to put into words.

Because of someone else’s awful choices, I lost my way in a split second—and that fact damages everything inside me. I lost the life I built for myself and slowly, but surely, all the confidence and self-esteem that came along with that life. Taking a person’s ability to do anything for themselves, to even get out of a hospital bed, to stand or to walk … it crushes who you are and it will still be a while before I find all of myself again. I’ll never understand why I’ve had to endure such a horrible experience, and I’ve had many days where I’ve just wanted to give up, to have my old life back. Some days are harder than others, and unless you’ve been through it, there’s no real way to make you understand.

But I do make progress—every day, in some small way, I make progress. I don’t forgive the person who did this to me, but a part of me wants to thank him. There are people who wouldn’t have survived this—the initial crash, the surgeries, and medical battle that has followed, as well as the mental and emotional damage. I try to accept that he hit me and not someone who perhaps wouldn’t have been strong enough to survive, someone who wouldn’t be able to stand up and fight back. Hitting me may have saved someone else, and I try to appreciate that. But my life will never be the same. Physically, I will never be the same … I will never be the same!

Carly Morgan Hillsborough County

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Pinellas County

I remember waking up on April 12, 2010, and turning on the news. There was a story of a cab driver who had just been killed by a drunk driver in Clearwater, Florida. I can remember thinking how sad it was for the family of this man who was killed so senselessly.

I could relate because my son, Joshua Donahue, had been driving a cab to make ends meet when the construction business slowed down. A few minutes later two policemen came to my house and told me that it was Joshua who had been killed. I was devastated.

I had to call his sister and brothers, who all live in other states, to tell them the news, and I didn’t have any idea what to say. Joshua was only 32 years old.

Joshua was such a wonderful, caring man. He left behind three daughters—Alena, the oldest was 12. They were so close, and now she had to go through her teenage years without his love and guidance. I worry about her every day because he was her rock, and now he is gone. Alena, Taylor, and Brianna are forever without their father.

Joshua was the type of man who loved everyone. No matter what age or walk of life, Joshua would easily strike up a conversation and make you feel like you had known him all your life. He was a good-hearted man who would always be willing to go out of his way to lend a hand to anyone in need. Every one that knew him loved him. He loved music and played guitar in a band, Six Feet Over. He loved to sing karaoke and had a wonderful voice. He had great musical and artistic talent.

The man who killed my son already had several convictions for drunk driving and had had his license revoked eight years before, but he was still on the streets, drinking and driving. He was fleeing from the police and speeding when he hit Joshua. His only injury was a cut on his forehead. He never showed any remorse for his actions and pled not guilty at the trial. He was found guilty, however, and was sentenced to the maximum allowed by Florida law—15 years for vehicular manslaughter, 5 years for driving on a revoked license, and 5 years for fleeing and eluding—in my opinion, not nearly enough,

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because I believe that if and when he gets out, he will drink and drive again. I hope and pray that he doesn’t destroy anyone else’s family as he did mine.

The death of Joshua has left a huge hole in the hearts of my family and his many friends.

It is a tragedy that such a wonderful man was taken so suddenly and senselessly. I share his story to honor his memory and hope it helps keep other families from losing what mine has lost.

I also share his story in thanks to my MADD advocate, Carole. Without her, I don’t know how I would have gotten through the trial. She understood the process and was so kind and understanding.

Sandra Morrissette Joshua’s Mother

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Driving Sober to Save a Life Barry Marcone, the founder of Driving Sober to Save a Life, died on August 25, 2013. He was 63. For those of you that are not familiar with the foundation, Barry started it in 2007, after his son Chris Marcone, 24 drove drunk and killed a 13 year old girl.

The devastating event shattered Chris’s life. Not only was he sentenced to 13 years in prison, but he was overwhelmed with guilt, remorse and depression.

When Barry realized that it was his son, not he, who made the bad choice that caused the tragic crash, he felt compelled to try and do something to help other young drivers make better choices than his son made. He knew he had to share his and his son’s story and impress upon others how dangerous it is to drink alcohol and drive. Thus, the creation of Driving Sober to Safe a Life.

For over 6 years, Barry traveled all over the United States to reach teen drivers and teach them about the consequences of drinking and driving.

Now Barry is gone, and Chris is still in prison. Barry loved Chris so much, and now no one is left to encourage Chris inside the prison walls.

We salute Barry for his gallant efforts in helping spread the message to drive sober. In his memory, we all need to be aware of making the right choice.

And to Chris, your dad loved you! www.drivingsober.net

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The Meagan Napier Foundation

Renée Napier

A Woman on a Mission

On May 11, 2002, a drunk driver killed Renée Napier’s daughter, Meagan, and Meagan’s friend, Lisa. The driver, Eric Smallridge, was sentenced to 22 years in prison. In the midst of grieving the loss of her daughter, Renée came to forgive Eric, and in turn, Eric decided to make something positive out of his tragic mistake.

Less than two years after Meagan’s death, Renée began her journey giving DUI presentations to a multitude of audiences, including high schools, colleges, the military, churches, DUI offenders and the NFL. Since 2004, over 200,000 people have heard Renee’s presentation during which she tells the story of Eric’s decision to drink and drive and the healing power of forgiveness. In April 2010, Eric was granted permission to join Renée in her speaking campaign. While still an inmate and bound by shackles, Eric captured the audience by boldly recounting the crash and his life in prison. Renée and Eric conclude the presentation with a compelling embrace. On November 26, 2012, Eric was released from prison and will continue to join Renée in her presentations. Renée is an award-winning speaker and is very passionate about her mission to stop DUI. In March 2010, Christian Music Artist Matthew West put out a request to everyone to send in their stories about forgiveness. He was writing songs for his new album, “The Story Of Your Life” and he wanted to use “real” people’s stories to inspire the songs. He expected to get 200-300, but instead he received over 10,000 stories! Renee sent her story to Matthew and prayed it would be chosen. She realized when the new album came out that her story didn’t get chosen, but a few months later Renee received word that her story was chosen for a devotional book that Matthew was writing along with Angela Thomas called The Story Of Your Life. She was overwhelmed! Renee went to The JoyFM to do a radio interview. Little did she know it was a set up!

Matthew West organized the interview so he could personally surprise Renee by telling her he wrote a song inspired by her story. The song, “Forgiveness” is the first release on his latest album called Into The Light. Currently, Renee is on-tour with Matthew West sharing her “real” story on forgiveness.

www.facebook.com/duipromise www.duipromise.com

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Re né e Na pie r, M atth ew W est an d Er ic Sm al lri dg e on th e Katie Co ur ic sh ow 0 8/ 0 1/ 13

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West Central Florida Driver Improvement, Inc. Providing Health and Safety Education (Driver Improvement, DUI Program, and Victim Impact) Services in the Fifth Judicial Circuit since 1985!

• Marion • Lake • Citrus • Hernando and Sumter Counties On line courses available.

Visit our website for details: www.wcfdi.com or call toll free: (800) 226-9838 Enjoy your holiday season. Be responsible and do not drink, drug and/or text while driving.

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