At the Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo, L.L.P. ®, we have seen countless injuries and loss of life as a result of drunk driving. In an effort to deter teens from making poor choices that can cost them a lifetime, Michael A. DeMayo developed an educational program called Arrive Alive! Don't Drink and Drive and delivers his message to local teens in area high schools as they are approaching times of celebration such as spring break, prom and graduation.

During the Arrive Alive presentations, Attorney Michael A. DeMayo shares stories of deadly drunk driving accidents that his law firm encounters every day, including the loss of numerous teenagers injured or killed by drinking and driving. Students attending the assemblies are presented with the reality that motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of death for teenagers, and that alcohol mixed with inexperience behind the wheel is oftentimes a recipe for disaster.

"We see the tragic results of underage drinking and driving in our offices everyday," said attorney Michael A. DeMayo. "We want teenagers to see the reality of the severe consequences that can result from one bad decision."

This year our guest speaker is Tolly Carr, a former morning news anchor for WXII-TV in Winston-Salem. In March 2007, he drove drunk and killed an innocent pedestrian. Carr served four months in county jail while awaiting sentencing for the felony charge of death by motor vehicle. In August 2007, he was sentenced to 25 months in the North Carolina Department of Correction. He was released from prison in May 2009 and returned to his home in Greensboro. Carr has since spent time speaking to groups about his mistakes trying to spread a message of responsible decision making.

The 2010 Arrive Alive program runs April 26-30 at the following locations:

9:30 a.m. Monday, April 26 at Charlotte Catholic High School in Charlotte

9:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 27 at West Caldwell High School in Lenoir

1:50 p.m. Tuesday, April 27 at Lake Norman High School in Mooresville

8:25 a.m. and 10:10 a.m. Wednesday, April 28 at Porter Ridge High School in Indian Trail

9 a.m. Thursday, April 29 at West Iredell High School in Statesville

2 p.m. Thursday, April 29 at Piedmont High School in Monroe

9 a.m. Friday, April 30 at David W. Butler High School in Matthews

Since the program's origination in 2003, the firm has partnered with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department's Highway Interdiction Traffic Safety Unit (HITS), the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, area high school Dream Teams, and other local agencies who have all helped to drive the "safe" driving message home.

"The deep sense of loss surviving friends and family members conveyed in our programs lets students know that underage drinking and driving affects everyone around them," said attorney Michael A. DeMayo. "No amount of money can ever replace the loss of a life."

The Arrive Alive program has been very well-received by students and faculty alike, and we hope to continue to educate and help teens make smart decisions and Arrive Alive!

If you would like us to bring Arrive Alive to your student's high school, please contact Kristine Woolley at (704) 343-4644, as well as your student's high school principal.