Bartender Fired For Calling Cops on Drunk Driver
By
MADD
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March 7, 2013
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Filed in:
Drunk Driving
It takes every concerned citizen to help prevent drunk driving. MADD has always said, if you think you see someone driving drunk, don’t hesitate to call the police.
That’s what Twyla DeVito, a bartender in Shelby, Ohio did… and she was fired for it. A patron at the bar she was working at had been drinking all day, and when he went to get in his car to head home, Twyla knew he had no business driving so she called the police. He failed the sobriety test and his BAC was twice over the legal limit. But soon after, Twyla received a call from her boss and was fired because having a bartender who will call the cops is “bad for business.”
Twyla’s story has been featured on Inside Edition and was discussed on the show The Talk, where Sharon Osbourne said, “I think it’s so unfair she got let go. Hideous.”
We commend Twyla, and people like her across the country, for taking the necessary steps to save lives, no matter the consequences.
Learn how to recognize and report drunk drivers on the roadways and read tips on how to prevent someone from driving drunk.
Why We’re Here: Helene Zucker Seeman
By
MADD
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March 5, 2013
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Filed in:
Victim Stories
On June 27, 2010, Fred Seeman and Helene Zucker Seeman were heading home after dinner at a friend’s house—a 10 minute drive. As they were turning into their driveway, a drunk driver with a BAC nearly three times the legal limit and driving 20 miles per hour over the speed limit on a dark two-lane road, crashed into the Seemans’ vehicle. Helene, who was sitting in the passenger seat where the car struck, was pronounced dead at the scene. Fred was transported in a Medevac helicopter to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.
Helene left behind two sons—Ford, and Curtis who were 23 and 17 respectively at the time of the crash.
Helene was an enthusiastic and bright person. She was always smiling and lived life to the fullest. She was a distinguished art curator in New York, working as the director of the Art Acquisition Program for the Prudential Life Insurance Company. She also worked as an adjunct professor at New York University’s School of Continuing Education.
Helene was active in and loved by those in her community. On September 11th, 2001, Helene was living in Battery Park City and active participated in the relief effort cleaning up her neighborhood.
Her son Ford shared a story in her eulogy of his experience telling an employee at the local rental car company Helene used occasionally:
“Not knowing who the woman was behind the desk, I introduced myself and told her I was sorry to inform her of my mother’s passing. The reaction of this woman, this woman who to me meant nothing, started crying uncontrollably. This was the effect my mother had. She was a pure soul who had the social graces of any of history's greatest queens. She was a queen, she was my queen, and my light and my love.”
The Brooklyn Museum has established the Helene Zucker Seeman Memorial Exhibition Fund to support a variety of exhibitions by a recognized or emerging woman artist that will be presented at the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art.
Ford, Fred, Helene and Curtis
Reaching Out to Victims
By
MADD
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March 4, 2013
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Filed in:
Victim Services
Hopefully by now you know that MADD is first and foremost a victim services organization—as we like to say, “We help survivors survive.” We have more than 1,200 trained victim advocates nationwide who can help bereaved families and injured victims/survivors. What you may not know is how we first connect with the victim/survivors we serve.
Often, a victim/survivor will contact MADD directly through their local MADD office or call MADD’s National Help Line (1-877-623-3435). But many times victim/survivors don’t feel comfortable contacting MADD, or are unaware of what services MADD has to offer crash victim/survivors. That’s when we reach out.
MADD victim advocates may learn about an alleged impaired driving crash through working relationship with the victim witness coordinators at the District Attorney or Sheriff’s office, or through law enforcement agencies. Other time they hear about them in the news—advocates scan newspapers and news websites regularly for crash information.
After we hear about an alleged impaired driving crash, a “We Care” card is sent to the victims, typically two weeks after the crash occurred. The cards inform victims of what services MADD can provide. Then, if we have their phone number, a MADD advocate will place a follow up call after a “We Care” card has been mailed.
We strive to be respectful and considerate of the people we reach out to and serve. We would never want to be perceived as aggressive or hurtful to a victim/survivor and by doing so cause further harm. Our job is to support and empower those who have been affected by this violent crime, and sometimes it’s those little details, such as that first contact, that make a big difference.
If you or someone you know is a victim/survivor of an impaired driving crash, MADD is here for you. Services are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year through our Help Line: 877.MADD.HELP. If you are interested in becoming a victim advocate, click here to connect with your local office.
