Michael Alfano, a 28-year-old resident of Levittown, created a statue memorializing those who have lost their lives to drunk driving. On Thursday, May 7, County Executive Thomas Gulotta unveiled this statue on the grounds of the Nassau County Medical Center, near the main entrance, where it will remain as a memorial to be seen by thousands of visitors every day.

Alfano's creation will be used as the County's Traffic Safety Board STOP-DWI statue. The STOP-DWI program attempts to heighten public awareness in an effort to spare families the tragedy of DWI accidents.

Gulotta said that it is appropriate to have the statue at the Nassau County Medical Center since it is one of the top trauma hospitals and so many survivors of alcohol related crashes are treated at the trauma unit. Gulotta noted that many of the physicians at the medical center have been proactive in their efforts to warn people of the dangers of drinking and driving which makes its permanent location even more appropriate.

Alfano created the statue in memory of his college girlfriend who was killed several years ago. She was walking and was struck by a drunk driver. The two met while students at SUNY Albany.

At the unveiling Gulotta described drunk driving as a plague that places innocent people at risk. These people become victims of the senseless act of a drunk driver. He said that this tragedy can be averted by human action. According to Gulotta, Nassau County has made drunk driving an issue and has increased the enforcement of DWI laws. As the number of arrests increases, Gulotta said, the number of deaths in DWI accidents decreases. "Nassau County's aggressive police enforcement and comprehensive public education is having a sobering effect on motorists in the county," added Gulotta. "Through education and aggressive police enforcement alcohol related fatalities in the county have been cut by over 40 percent over the past two years."

This event was attended by many people whose lives were changed as a result of a drunk driving accident and many who are working to end drunk driving. There were several families of victims of drunk driving accidents present, including the parents of Alfano's girlfriend. Representatives from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) were also at the unveiling ceremony. Members of East Meadow High School's chapter of SADD were present with a banner proclaiming; "Teamwork to lighten the load." A classmate of their's was killed in a drunk driving accident two years ago.

Gulotta said, "All too often, we have seen, heard, and read of the heartbreak which is caused by DWI related injuries and fatalities. The recent statistics indicate that a clear message is being delivered: if you drink, don't drive. This statue is a reminder to all of the heartache caused by drunk drivers. We are grateful to Michael Alfano for his thoughtful contribution."