NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Brandon Silveria knows firsthand the perils of
drinking and driving. At age 17, after drinking a couple of beers at a
high school party and then getting behind the wheel of his car,
Silveria was involved in a near-fatal crash that left him comatose for
three months. What followed were a grueling three-year rehabilitation
and permanent speech and walking disabilities.
Silveria and his father, Tony, now travel the United States
encouraging young people to "make the right choice" when confronted
with the decision to drink and drive. They bring their message to
Vanderbilt University’s Sarratt Cinema on Thursday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m.
in an event free and open to the public.
The presentation will include a segment of the television program
"Rescue 911," on which Silveria’s story was featured. It depicts the
events before, during and after the accident.
The Silverias lecture on behalf of the non-profit Century Council,
which is dedicated to combating drunk driving and underage drinking.
The Century Council has produced a short documentary film, "Brandon
Tells His Story," which was awarded a FREDDIE in the American Medical
Association’s International Health and Medical Film Competition.
Silveria has been recognized by former President Bill Clinton for his
efforts to educate others about the dangers of drunk driving. He has
shared his story with more than 1 million young people.
For more information about Vanderbilt, visit the Vanderbilt News Service homepage at www.vanderbilt.edu/News.
Media contact: Kara Furlong, (615) 322-NEWS
Kara.c.furlong@vanderbilt.edu