Rensselaer County Remembers DWI Victims
by Amy Modesti
Although Tuesday, September 29 may be “National Coffee Day,” it is also a day to remember the Rensselaer County residents who were killed by drunk drivers.
On Tuesday afternoon, Rensselaer County officials, the City of Troy, and families whose loved ones were taken from them by people who drove while intoxicated, gathered at the Rensselaer County DWI Memorial site, located at the corner of Congress and 13th Street in Troy. Normally, this event would take place in April during “Crime Victims Week” but due to the pandemic, it had to be moved to the fall.
The ceremony was held in remembrance of not only those whose lives were taken by drunk drivers, but their families friends and community as well.
“We wanted to make sure that 2020 didn’t end without our chance to gather together” said District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly as she gave her opening remarks. Dean Bodner led the audience with the Pledge of Allegiance. Bodner, according to Donnelly, has been a tireless advocate for the victims of DWI and she is fortunate to have Bodner serve as Rensselaer County’s DWI Coordinator.
County Executive, Steve McLaughlin and Troy Mayor, Patrick Madden, also gave remarks. McLaughlin thanked everyone for being present on this solemn occasion.
“I would note that if there’s maybe just one, and one upside to COVID, that we’ve had no deaths this year from DWI, which is wonderful and we hope that continues all the way through not only this year but every year forward so that we don’t have to add any more names to this wall” added McLaughlin.
Mayor Patrick Madden told those gathered that DWI takes the lives of many innocent people in the community; “They are mothers, they are fathers, they are sisters, brothers, husbands and wives. They are members of families, whose lives and futures were permanently altered by the thoughtless decision of others. Their dreams and hopes dashed. Their voices that can no longer be heard.” Madden encouraged the community to continue to work together to educate, change attitudes, and renew the focus to prevent these tragic incidents from occurring again and gave the family and friends of the victims his deepest condolences for their loss.
Although only in her position for a short time, D.A. Donnelly said she does not take DWI too lightly. It is her job, as Rensselaer County’s district attorney, to seek justice for the lost family members and survivors. Donnelly recognizes that she can’t take away the pain of the tragic loss, but together, she and the community can come together to speak out about the dangers of driving while intoxicated and encourage the community to think before they act. Donnelly concluded the remembrance by reciting the names on the memorial and gave a moment of silence for the victims and their families. She also thanked the City of Troy Police Department Color Guard for their presence at the ceremony.