Friends call attention to effects of driving drunk
Fundraiser at Monmouth U. set to be held April 30
BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer

WEST LONG BRANCH - When Monmouth University student Melissa Pinheiro was in a car accident last year, her life changed.

Pinheiro was with her sister, Heather Pinheiro, and her cousin, Kylie Pinheiro, in December when the car they were traveling in was struck by another vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle was arrested and is facing drunken-driving charges.

Pinheiro and her sister suffered severe injuries, which required them to remain hospitalized for several days and undergo multiple surgeries. Their cousin Kylie succumbed to her injuries in the crash and died.

The tragic event has led two of Melissa Pinheiro's friends from Monmouth University to launch a series of programs and fundraisers to raise awareness about the effects of drunken driving.

After seeing Melissa Pinheiro in the hospital after the accident, Liz Ricciardi and Lauren Philippi decided they wanted to do something to help.

"We spent a lot of time in the hospital, and Lauren and I were sitting around and thought about things that we could do to help the [Pinheiro] family," Ricciardi said.

The two friends have been collecting donations at campus events to help the Pinheiro family with medical bills.

One such event was when stand-up comic Jim Breuer put on a show at Monmouth University. The two girls collected donations at the event and in return handed out bracelets to the donors that read "Don't drink and drive. Do it for Kylie."

Ricciardi and Philippi have raised approximately $1,400 from bracelet sales for the Pinheiro family.

The two friends said they have set no definitive goal for the amount of money they want to raise for the Pinheiro family, but added that they would be happy to raise a couple of thousand dollars.

"The goal isn't just about raising money," Philippi said, "It's also to raise awareness about drinking and driving.

"I think that kids our age think that they are immune to these things, but they aren't," Philippi added.

"I think it's the stupidest thing you can do," Ricciardi said about drinking and driving. "It's always the people who think they are all right that go out and drive.

"It's never worth it," she added.

To help with the cause, the Monmouth University Office of Substance Awareness and the Athletics Department are scheduled to host a benefit this month to raise money for the Pinheiro family.

The "Monmouth Drunk Driving Event for the Pinheiro Family" is planned to be held April 30 at Anacon Hall on the Monmouth University campus in West Long Branch. Tickets for the event cost $5 each and all proceeds will help the Pinheiro family pay medical bills from the accident.

The benefit is open to Monmouth University staff and students, and anyone interested in making a donation can e-mail Liz Ricciardi at s0569362@monmouth.edu.

The December car accident occurred near Route 1 in New Brunswick when a driver ran a red light and crashed into the vehicle that Melissa Pinheiro, her sister and her cousin were traveling in.

Both Melissa and Heather were hospitalized for several days as a result of the injuries they received in the collision.

Heather, 20, who was driving the car at the time of the crash, suffered multiple broken ribs, a concussion and a lesion to her liver.

Melissa, 21, received several broken bones, and as a result had a rod surgically implanted into her leg from her knee to her ankle. She also had a pin implanted in her back from her pelvis to her tailbone and several screws inserted into her ankle.

Both Melissa and Heather are expected to make full recoveries.

Melissa has been going to physical therapy and walked almost a month before the doctors said she would, according to Philippi.

Melissa is expected to return to school at Monmouth University in the fall.

Kylie Pinheiro, 18, did not survive the accident.

Ricciardi said that both she and Philippi hope that the university will host a benefit in honor of Kylie each year as a way to continue educating university students on the dangers of drunken drinking.

If the event becomes an annual fundraiser, Ricciardi said that a different family will be chosen each year to be the recipient of the funds raised.

"We are hoping to do this every year," Ricciardi said. "The university has been awesome. They have helped us so much.

"Everyone has been so supportive - the professors, the students and all the departments. We can't say enough about that.

Philippi said, "It's hard to see a friend in so much pain. It's hard to know that [Melissa] will never be the same. You never want to see someone you love suffer.

"She lost someone she loved who was really close to her. I don't think anyone should go through what [Melissa and Heather] had to go through," Philippi added.