Parents of children involved in DUI crashes share stories with Martin children

STUART Two parents with children on opposite sides of fatal drunk driving accidents shared stories about the days that forever changed their lives during a Mothers Against Drunk Driving event Friday at the 10th Street Stuart Recreation Center.

More than 60 local kids ages 9 to 18 took heed of the advice from Barry Marcone, a Tampa-area resident, and Beth Stone of Palm City, whose children both were impacted by drunk driving.

Marcone’s son Chris was charged with DUI manslaughter in April 2007 when his car struck and killed a 13-year-old girl in a minivan. Stone’s daughter Sarah, 14, was killed by a 16-year-old drunk driver in June 2002 near Kanner Highway and Linden Street.

Marcone’s son was sentenced to 13 years in prison one year for each year of his victim’s life. And a $330 million settlement was reached in civil court in favor of the girl’s family, Marcone said.

“I’ve seen a young man destroy his life,” Marcone said of his son. “This is from one evening of partying. One evening of drinking and driving.”

The event came on the heels of an August accident where three teenagers driver Nicholas Coady, 18, Connor Graver, 16, and Christopher Briglio, 18 were killed in an apparently alcohol-related accident on Cove Road. Coady’s blood-alcohol level was 0.251 when the car hit a front loader, according to Florida Highway Patrol reports.

Stone’s daughter Sarah, an honors graduate from Hidden Oaks Middle School, was killed when 16-year-old Stephen Bromstrup drove his car into the vehicle carrying her and a friend, who also was killed.

Bromstrup served five years and 11 months in state prison and was released this May, Stone said. He spoke to the graduating class of Martin County High School in June.

“Do you think Stephen wanted to hurt anyone that night? No,” Stone said. “Stephen was out to have a good time. Isn’t that what alcohol is for? Well sometimes it goes bad.”

Local kids also got the chance to try out a Stuart Police Department Breathalyzer, walk the straight line, stand on one foot and attempt the finger-to-nose test.

Students said they walked away with a more knowledge about the dangers of drinking and driving.

“I learned not to drink and drive or give into peer pressure,” said Ryann Sheridan-Gaines, 12, of Stuart. “The stories were really sad. I don’t think I’d be able to handle that if that happened to anyone I know.”

Looking for a great speaker for your school, event or organization? Someone who can really make a difference with teens and parents or bring a powerful message to your audience? Contact Barry Marcone of Driving Sober to Save a Life at barry@drivingsober.net, or call 352-279-4365. Presentations are at no cost to your organization.