I’ve read stories in the paper and heard people lecture at school assemblies about their horrid stories of drunk driving. I never thought it would happen to me, but then I had a wake-up call.

The night of August 23, 2007, started off like any other summer night for me and my friends. It had been another boring day, so a friend and I went to a parking lot and decided to split a 12-pack of beer. We thought we would have a better time if we had a little alcohol in us. After that, we drove around until he realized he was low on gas. I volunteered to pick up my car and drive the rest of the night

Photo by Mike "Dakinewavamon" Kline

Thrill Hill

We met up with a group of girls who were in a separate car and had not been drinking. They came up with the idea of going to a notorious road called “thrill hill” to take turns driving. I had heard that driving it was supposed to give you butterflies. The road, which is in a wooded area and known for its curves and hills, had a posted speed limit of only 25 miles per hour. But that night, we thought we were invincible. When I drove the hill, I drove 80 miles per hour spun out of control and slammed into a tree. I blacked out.

I was rushed to the hospital where I remained unconscious. The doctors told my parents that I had a 50-50 chance of surviving. I had sustained a broken orbital bone (bone around the eye) and a broken jawbone. I received emergency surgery, where they removed part of my skull, which was rubbing against my brain and causing my brain to bleed. I survived the surgery and spent the following month in a rehabilitation center. I still have to get another surgery to put a metal plate in my head. The doctors thought my friend, who was also in the car, would be paralyzed. However, thankfully, he was released the next day, sustaining only minor leg and neck injuries.

Months of Recovery

I don’t remember the night of the accident or the following two months. I don’t remember rehab, but I am told that I was delirious and had no control over what I said and did. I also didn’t recognize certain people, and I couldn’t distinguish my dreams from reality. I didn’t even know I had been in a car accident. I had to learn how to keep my balance, walk and speak again.

I missed nearly half of my senior year. And now I know just because I think I can handle my alcohol doesn’t mean I can. Any amount of alcohol will impair your judgment and that was why I drove 80 miles per hour over a hill with a posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour.

Never Again

I will never have another drink and get behind the wheel. I will also never get into a car with anybody who has been drinking. If you drink, sleep it off before driving. And talk to your parents. Let them know that you want to be able to count on them to pick you up without asking questions if you really need it. Having them drive will keep you from risking your life for a few drinks. Nobody is invincible and something like this can happen to anyone.

Vincent’s story is just one of thousands. You’ve probably been at the kind of assemblies he mentions where they tell you horror stories about drunk driving. But as familiar and boring as some of those assemblies are, drunk driving isn’t a joke. Always remember that it doesn’t matter how many drinks you’ve had: your judgment will be impaired. A drink isn’t worth your life.

If you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, call the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence at 1- 800-622-2255.

*Vincent Thorn is a pseudonym for an 18-year-old who lives in New Jersey.