Huntington, Police, Aim To Bring Awareness To DWI Prevention

GREENLAWN, NY — Huntington officials were joined Wednesday by stakeholders to highlight DWI awareness and prevention. The conference comes in the midst of the summer season's "100 Deadliest Days" — a time where an uptick in fatal collisions is prevalent.

Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci, Deputy Supervisor Councilman Ed Smyth, and Councilman Eugene Cook were joined by Suffolk County Police Department 2nd Precinct Inspector William Scrima, MADD National Vice President of Field Operations and NY & NJ Regional Executive Director Richard Mallow, and Alisa and John McMorris, the parents of Andrew McMorris, the Long Island Boy Scout killed by a drunk driver in 2018.

"We are two months into the ‘100 Deadliest Days’ of summer and with the increase in fatal collisions we have seen this week alone across Long Island due to intoxicated, speeding and distracted drivers, we are calling on our community to avoid drinking or texting and driving," Lupinacci stated. "Stay alert and stay sober to stay in control of your vehicle and your reaction to what happens on the road — be aware of other drivers. It’s simple: If you are questioning the math of how many drinks you have consumed and how much time has passed, please get a ride from a designated driver or take a rideshare and help prevent another avoidable tragedy."

Andrew McMorris, 12, was killed by a drunk driver who plowed into his Boy Scout troop while they were out on a hike in Manorville. Thomas Murphy, 61, of Holbrook, who was convicted by a jury of driving drunk and killing Andrew in the 2018 crash, received the maximum sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years in prison.

Alisa and John McMorris said it was an honor to stand with the Huntington officials and Suffolk police and bring awareness to drunken driving.

"Our mission is simple and so important — if you drink, don’t drive or operate a boat. Impaired driving is deadly and preventable! When our 12-year-old son was killed by a drunk driver we had to turn from parenting Andrew to parenting his legacy. This is why our family and the Andrew McMorris Foundation along with Mothers Against Drunk Driving are fighting so hard to get drunk driving prevention technology on all new vehicles as soon as possible."

The family implored the Senate to pass Reduce Impaired Driving for Everyone (RIDE Act S.1331). This legislation would direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to determine the best technology and start equipping all new vehicles in the next few years, including commercial vehicles like buses and limousines.

"We implore everyone to make it their business to keep impaired drivers off of our shared roads," the McMorrises stated. "We don’t want another family to be forced to endure the pain we live each and every day."

The "100 Deadliest Days" is the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when fatal crashes involving teenagers increase dramatically. Nationwide, over 7,000 people died in teen-related crashes from 2010 through 2019 during this summer period.

Since Memorial Day, there have been two fatal accidents involving DWI arrests in the police district, one of which was in the Second Precinct, said Scrima. There has been a 36 percent increase in DWI arrests involving motor vehicle crashes and a 35 percent increase in DWI arrests overall, Scrima said. Enforcement has been boosted throughout Suffolk County as a result.

Smyth, who called for the press conference, said there has recently been an "alarming number" of drunk driving and boating crashes.

"Everyone is personally responsible for their own conduct and should never drive after drinking," he said. "In addition, bars, restaurants, and catering halls are also responsible for their visibly intoxicated patrons. The Town is doing all we can to support small businesses, bars, and restaurants to maintain thriving and vibrant downtown areas. What we ask in return, is proactive measures from holders of liquor licenses to ensure no one is drinking and driving after they leave your establishment."

Smyth asked businesses to take 15 minutes to do refresher training with servers and managers so they know how to identify a visibly intoxicated customer and ensure they get a ride home.

Cook urged residents to not drive and drink. Instead, they should call someone or make arrangements ahead of time if they know they will be drinking.

"Understand that if you drink and drive, you are not only putting your own life, but other lives at risk," Cook said. "If you’re going to drink have a designated driver, or call someone for a ride. This is about saving lives; nothing is more precious than life."