A powerful personal story and a courtroom-mandated audience came together this week in Yates County, where officials held a victim impact panel aimed at confronting the real-life consequences of impaired driving.
The Yates County STOP-DWI Program hosted the panel April 22 at the county office building in Penn Yan, bringing together offenders, law enforcement, court officials and community organizations.
According to organizers, 27 individuals were ordered by courts to attend the session, though seven failed to appear. Attendees were screened and monitored by deputies and court personnel before the panel began.
Sheriff Francis Ryan said the program is designed to support court mandates requiring individuals charged with driving while intoxicated to attend a victim impact panel, with the goal of humanizing the harm caused by impaired driving decisions.
The event included participation from local officials, including members of the county legislature, the district attorney’s office, probation staff and substance abuse service providers, who outlined available support programs and resources.
The evening’s featured speaker, Michelle Curtin, shared a personal account of loss after her mother was killed in a head-on crash involving a drunk driver. Curtin described the lasting impact of the tragedy on her family and her ongoing efforts to raise awareness through education and advocacy.
Officials emphasized that while marijuana laws have changed, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol remains illegal in New York, and stressed the importance of making safe choices behind the wheel.
Participants were required to complete an evaluation to receive certification of attendance, which is submitted to the courts as part of their case requirements.
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