
When: Media availability from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 7
(Interviews in English and Spanish available via Zoom)
Where: Moonshine Deck
1239 W. 19th Street
Houston, TX 77008
Who: AAA Texas Corporate Communications Manager Doug Shupe
MADD Program Specialist Eric Pacheco
MADD Victim Volunteer Charisse Thomas
Why: The Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers will face off in the Super Bowl on Feb. 11 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Millions of people will watch the Big Game at bars, restaurants, and house parties across Southeast Texas and the nation. That’s why AAA Texas and MADD will remind fans to prevent alcohol and drug-impaired driving over Super Bowl weekend. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, during the last five Super Bowl weekends (Friday through Monday), DWI crashes resulted in 78 fatalities in the Lone Star State. AAA Texas reminds drivers that alcohol is not the only impairing substance, and that marijuana consumption and driving could lead to a DWI as well. A first-time DWI conviction in Texas could cost a driver $20,190 in court, arrest and DMV fines, fees and penalties, alcohol education classes, attorney’s fees and additional insurance costs. But even worse than financial penalties, is the human toll DWI crashes take. Charisse Thomas lost her 18-year-old daughter on February 3, 2020, the day after the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. A marijuana and alcohol impaired driver hit and killed Destani Oliver after spending the weekend celebrating the Big Game.
Visuals:
- Photos of crash victim
- Impaired driving b-roll
- Mixologist making non-alcoholic mocktails
- Super Bowl food/snacks on display