Press Release

BROOKFIELD, WI — Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and The Century Council partnered today to bring a life-saving lesson about the dangers of drunk driving and underage drinking to students of Brookfield Central High School. Brandon Silveria and his father Tony spoke to students about the importance of “making the right choice” about alcohol – and if students are under the age of 21, that the only responsible decision is not to drink. Brandon was involved in an alcohol-related crash at age 17 just before his high school prom. The Century Council is a national not-for-profit organization funded by distillers dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking.

“According to a 2007 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2006, 2,642 youths were killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes across the country,” said Attorney General Van Hollen. “It is important that we continue in our efforts to stop drunk driving and underage drinking. Parents play the most important role in keeping teens of Wisconsin safe and alcohol-free. I am proud to have Brandon and Tony Silveria with us today to communicate their life-saving message.”

“In Wisconsin in 2007, 641 youths under age 18 were arrested for driving under the influence and10,212 youths were arrested for liquor law violations (UCR 2006),” said Shannon Adams of The Century Council. “Our goal with this presentation is to raise awareness about this serious problem and help our youth to make the right choice about alcohol. I’m pleased we were invited to Brookfield Central High School today, and I am hopeful that Brandon and Tony’s words will resonate with the students.”

During the presentation, Brandon Silveria told students his wrenching story of how as a high school student he had everything a teenager could want—a job, a girlfriend and plans for the future—until he had a few drinks at a party and chose to drive home. After falling asleep at the wheel, crossing the centerline and crashing into a tree, he was left in a coma for three months and spent several years in rehabilitation. Brandon was so badly injured that basic motor functions such as walking, talking and swallowing had to be re-learned.  He has permanent brain injury and suffers from dangerous seizures. Brandon’s presentations continue to receive standing ovations from students across the country.

“What you become depends on the choices that you make,” said Brandon. “When I was seventeen, I had a job and a girlfriend. Because of my crash, I lost both of them. My hope is that by sharing my experiences with other young people, I can prevent others from being hurt or killed.”

Through educational efforts such as the Silveria lecture and video program, The Century Council educates students across the country about the hazards of underage drinking and driving. Since Brandon and his father Tony have become spokespeople for The Century Council, they have addressed well over three million high school students nationwide and have been featured on such television programs as “Rescue 911,” NBC’s “Today,” as well as media outlets across the country. 

The Century Council is a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking.  Founded in 1991, The Council is funded by distillers.  For more information on The Council and its mission, please log onto www.centurycouncil.org.

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