Alpha Sigma Alpha hosts MADD lecture for alcohol awareness

Alpha Sigma Alpha hosted a Mothers Against Drunk Driving speaker who discussed an accident he had with a drunk driver in which his face was entirely crushed.

MADD representative Andrew Torget, a graduate student at the University of Virginia, spoke about his personal experience with drunk driving as a part of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority’s Alcohol Safety Awareness Week.

According to Torget, as he was driving home to visit his family and girlfriend for the holidays, he was struck by a drunk driver. The student from the University of Texas - Dallas was rounding a corner when his 1986 Toyota Camry was hit head on by a Ford F-150

The drunk driver was able to walk away from the crash, but Torget was left trapped in his car.

A neighbor called 911 and after Torget was cut out of the car, he was rushed by helicopter to Herman Hospital in Houston. His injuries were so severe the emergency medical technicians didn’t think he would survive.

Torget said externally, the left side of his face was smashed in — all the bones were broken and his eye socket had collapsed. Both arms and his right leg were broken, and his eyes were covered with glass. Internally, Torget’s spleen was sliced open and he had severe internal bleeding. Torget had hit his head so hard that spinal fluid was flowing out of his head and through his nose.

Despite the life threatening injuries, Torget was stabilized that night. He awoke on Christmas Day surrounded by his family. He was in the hospital for the next several weeks, undergoing multiple surgeries to correct his shattered face. Surgeons placed four titanium plates to serve as the bone structure of his face. According to Torget, they used 35 screws to hold the plates in place. His left eye socket was so destroyed it was replaced with a plastic one. Due to his injuries, he has no feeling on the left side of his face.

The drunk driver showed no remorse at his hearings, according to Torget. It was revealed that he previously was arrested six times for drinking and driving and lost his license 10 days before the accident, Torget said. According to Torget, the driver received only five years in prison.

After the surgery, Torget said he was determined not to let the drunk driving accident prevent him from doing what he wanted to do. While pursuing his master’s degree in history at U.Va., he speaks out about his accident. He tells his story in hopes that others will change their perspective about driving drunk.

“If people decide to drink and drive, it’s out of [our] hands,” Torget said. “That’s what is scary. If it kills people and it’s so easy to prevent, why don’t we take it seriously?”

Torget has been speaking for MADD for almost three years. He shares his story with churches, Juvenile Detention Centers and through teaching awareness classes. He leads an Alcohol Safety Action program — court-appointed education program given to first-time drunk drivers.

“His story was so moving,” said sophomore Chelsea Ryder, a member of ASA.

“The strength that he has gained from the ordeal has inspired me. People need to be aware of the dangers of drunk driving,” she added.

During Alcohol Awareness Week, the sorority plans various fund raisers, donating all the money to the S. June Smith Center of Lancaster County.

A national organization, the center provides intervetion resources to children with developmental needs, according to the center’s Web site, www.sjunesmith.org.

“Alpha Sigma Alpha has planned many positive events this week such as speakers, hands-on activities with the Harrisonburg Police, flier distribution and sober rides,” said sophomore Lisa Cory, who attended the event.

“Although we are trying to raise money for our [charity} philanthropy, we are trying to raise awareness too,” she added.

For more information on MADD and alcohol awareness visit www.madd.com.