Does your town have a problem with this?

[lifesaver]

I was on the UTSA campus today and was asking the undergrads there if they knew the wrong way driver. Some of them said they did and that he was in fact, greek. I am not going to post his affilliation here, because it is not relevant to the story now. IF it develops that he had been drinking at a chapter event, and/or it was chapter related, or if that is alleged, I'll post that information then.

[rhochi2002]

I don't know if you guys ever did this or perhaps it is because I have a super low tolerance but I have definately still been drunk when I woke up...
My college down tends to do random check points at 5 and 6 in the morning on roads where most of the college students live.

[lifesaver]

I wanted to add that it wasnt my group the kid was a member of. In fact it was the group that was our rival, if you will. I just dont want to drag any dirty laundry out if its not necessary.

[lifesaver]

Looks like it is now involving his chapter...

The Paisano
http://www.paisano-online.com/vnews/.../43727a696ac12
Student charged, two dead
Greek community affected by actions of drunk driver
by Amy Grewal
Assistant News Editor

November 09, 2005

A UTSA student traveling the wrong way on I-10 early Friday morning, collided with another vehicle, killing a 2-year-old boy and his mother.

The student, 19-year-old Ryan Gonzalez, was charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter and one count of intoxication assault.

According to the police, Gonzalez was traveling in the wrong lanes of westbound I-10 when his F-350 Ford pickup collided head-on with a Chevrolet Cavalier near DeZavala.

Two passengers, 23-year-old Noraima Baltazar and her son, David Baltazar, Jr. were instantly killed and thrown from the vehicle. The driver, David Baltazar Sr., remains in critical condition at University Hospital.

Police also stated that Gonzalez failed sobriety tests at the scene, and his eyes were blood shot.

Gonzalez is a member of Alpha Tau Omega (ATO), a social Greek fraternity at UTSA that is currently off-campus. Although the fraternity is not recognized as a registered student organization (RSO), it may regain recognized status if approved by Greek advisors.

“This is a tragedy on multiple levels for the two people who lost their lives and for Ryan and his family,” Dan Iza, president of ATO said. “The last time I saw Ryan was the Monday before the accident. I’m told that he attended a birthday party with friends and a few ATO brothers several hours before the accident. Clearly, the tragedy of the accident is on the forefront in all our minds and prayers.”

ATO, along with the entire Greek community, may now face repercussions as a result of the accident, in that alcohol-awareness programs will be stressed considerably.

“It’s [the accident] really hit home. I think it will change a lot of things in our Greek community; maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but sometime in the future,” Jack Zepeda, Interfraternity Council (IFC) rush coordinator and member of Delta Sigma Phi said. “Yeah, it happened to an ATO, but it really could have happened to any one of us.”

Chrystine Johnson, a member of Phi Mu womens’ fraternity, also feels that the incident will have an effect upon the Greek community.

“Hopefully, this incident will encourage students to be less irresponsible,” she said. “We shouldn’t look down on the situation, we should learn from it and prevent it from happening again.”

ATO lost two brothers several semesters ago during spring break in an alcohol-related event. Members of ATO presented a slideshow to the Greek community last semester to pay tribute to their deceased fraternity brothers.

“It was very touching,” Zepeda said.

Several organizations are already implementing programs within their own chapters to discuss the consequences of drinking and driving.

Others, however, feel the effect of the accident in the Greek community is irrelevant.

“I think it’s a shame people are worrying about how it’s going to affect the Greek community. A man lost his wife and daughter; that’s more important,” Brett England, former IFC vice president external and member of Lambda Chi Alpha said.

“Anytime something like this happens, someone has to be blamed and, unfortunately, in this case, it’s the Greek community and his [Gonzalez’s] chapter. But that’s just how it is; we [the Greek community] always have to fight against stereotypes,” he said.

England sees the benefit of educational seminars.

“As far as alcohol awareness goes, I do think we should have a program, but it should be a campus-wide event and not just focused on the Greek community,” England said.

David Gabler, assistant vice president for university communications, supports alcohol-awareness programs.

“We already have an extensive array of programs for the Greek community to socialize responsibly and demonstrate respect for the safety of others and themselves,” Gabler said.

According to Gabler, a committee of 20 staff members has met to discuss recent arrests and incidents related to alcohol on and around campus. “This is a tragedy that’s larger than the university community. Everyone at UTSA should be concerned with alcohol related programs,” Gabler said.

“Many members of the UTSA community have expressed sadness concerning Friday’s tragic accident. Our hearts go out to the victims of the accident and members of their families. They remain in the thoughts and prayers of many individuals at UTSA,” Gabler said.

Greek Life and Student Program Advisor Kristal Statler and Associate Director of Student Life and Activities Barry McKinney refused to comment for this article.

Greek organizations were also advised not to speak to the press in regards to this article.

[Rio_Kohitsuji]

I do it all the time actually....when I'm in Athens...damn one-ways-that-was-a-two-way-the-day-before....