It was a cold winter night in December of 2002 , when Janice Palmer’s son crashed his brand new car into another – killing himself and the passengers in the car instantly .

Daniel Palmer , a 17-year-old resident of Glastonbury , died never having the chance to graduate with his friends , or knowing that he got accepted into his college of choice or falling in love , getting married and having kids of his own – because he decided to drink and drive that night .

His choice has affected his parent’s lives every day since , and that is why his mother decided to tell her story at the Drunk Driving Awareness program in front of a room filled with teenagers and their loved ones at the L . P . Wilson Community Center on April 16 .

“ We are happy to be sharing our story with youtonight , because we know it will hopefully result in saving at least one life , ” said Palmer , as she began to talk about her son .

The program , sponsored by the town’s Youth Commission , the police department and Windsor High School , gave the audience a sobering glimpse into the lives of two mourning moms , and the consequences that driving while intoxicated can have on people’s lives forever .

Sherry Chapman , a Mourning Parents ACT , Inc ., [! MPACT ] director , also spoke about her 19-year-old son , Ryan Ramirez , who died only a few hours after Daniel Palmer , as a result of the wrongful acts of a teenage drunk driver , who Chapman said is currently in jail .

! IMPACT was founded in 2002 by Connie and Tom Jasowski , and Joe Klett , after finding out that within an 11-day period and a 25-mile radius , five teenage boys were killed in three separate automobile accidents in Connecticut .

According to the statistics provided by the forum , nearly 6 , 000 teenagers die per yearin automobile accidents , and it is the leading cause of death for youngpeople ages 15 to 20 yearsof age .

After the forum , many parents and teens left with a realization they never thought of before that night .

“ I thought it was enlightening , ” said 17-year-old Chris Brown , of Windsor , who attends Northwest Catholic High School . His father , Ted Brown , was glad that he brought his son . “ I thought it was beneficial , ” he said . “ I kind of had to make him come . ”

Aaron Baker , 16 , from Windsor , said his mother also made him come to the event , but he was glad she did . He learned an important lesson by attending the program . “ One minute you’rethere , and the next minute you’regone , ” said Baker .

Kevin Delane , 16 , of Windsor , said he learned a valuable lesson , as well . “ It taught me to be more careful and more aware of what is going on , ” he said .

Chapman said that was the main goal of the forum .

“ I would like teens to understand that they are empowered to make their own decisions , ” she said . And , for parents , I want them to understand the risks . ”

Palmer said ultimately parents have to trust their kids .

“ When they leave the house , what is the alternative ? ” she asked . That’s why she said it’s important to reach the teens more than their parents . “ I taught my son , but he made that choice to engage in drinking ... and look at the consequences . ”

Other speakers included in the forum were Captain Thomas LePore and Officer Russell Winninger , and Dr . Jody Terranova , from the town youthcommission , who discussed the importance of parents talking with their teens and creating a parent-teen driving contract that might just save their teen’s life .

For more information about ! MPACT or new laws go to www . mourningparentsact . org .