It's killing me being 3 hours away from home and finding out the news the next day, or a few days later than everyone else who is still at home. Being in college, you find yourself scrolling through social media to find out the news and what's actually going on in your hometown. Living in Troy, NY, you become part of this family. Everyone in the 518 area code uses this area code not only to define where you come from, but to conclude that we are a family, the "518 family."

Living here at Brockport, I've found myself being out of the loop with events that are going on at home. But i've met my family members of the 518 here at the 585 which make everything here feel a little more home-y.

Now, I'm taking the time to write about events that occurred within a two week span of time this month that SHOULD NOT of happened. Two events that took the lives away from two innocent teenagers. Two teenagers who were indeed, apart of our 518 family.

Paige Ahearn, graduate of Waterford Highschool and Ryan Biewala, graduate of Averill Park high school both located next to where I live were both hit by intoxicated drivers this month, and were in fact, killed.

Paige Ahearn was driving along route 7 the night of October 11th when she was her car was hit by an intoxicated woman. Jessica Bellerose, 41, was charged with felony vehicular manslaughter, and driving while intoxicated in the fatal motor vehicle crash that killed 18-year-old Paige Ahearn on alternate Route 7. I remember seeing such a beautiful girl around, especially having the opportunity to play basketball and softball with and against her. Seeing her and hearing all about her from such great friends of her warms my heart, but also sickens me. I'm sick over the fact that such a selfish act took a life of such a great person. DRUNK DRIVING IS SELFISH. Paige, a beautiful young lady who had such a big and bright future ahead of her won't be able to fulfill all those hopes and dreams because of one ignorant, stupid, and of course dumb-decision making woman. Because of this woman, Paige won't be able to become married, have her first child, grow old and have a family, or start a career she's worked so hard to have.

Willingly putting people's lives in danger, as well as your own, to make it from point A to point B in an inebriated state is selfish. The people who get hurt because of your decision to drive drunk did not choose this. You took their lives, and your life, into your own hands the moment you sat behind that wheel.

Ryan Biewala was killed by a drunk driver the night of October 29th. Ryan Biewala graduated from Averill Park high school. A Coastal Carolina student, he was crossing the highway near the Monarch apartments in South Carolina around 12: 40 a.m. when he was hit. A star athlete, he was loved by family, friends, strangers, coaches, and peers in the Troy/Averill Park community. This horrible tragedy was felt by everyone in the community. He was hit right by his own campus, where students should feel the safest.

I overheard two teenage boys talking in the common room at my college a few nights back. They were laughing and amused at the fact that they both drove back to campus drunk and somehow made it, but parked in the parking lot. Laughing and amused by the whole situation, I decided to step in and give them my two cents. I told them the story about Paige and Ryan hoping that it would be a wake up call for how naive they are acting. They just laughed at me some more, but I know, Paige and Ryan would be proud of me for standing up for not only them, but every person who has been affected by intoxicated drivers.

If you drink and drive, it's only a matter of time before you get caught or worse. You may think you have some control over yourself, but you're wrong. It's been proven that when drunk drivers get into accidents, they typically come out with minimal to no injuries because the alcohol allows the body to relax and disengages the brain telling the body to tense up when in a dangerous situation. On average, every 53 minutes, someone is killed in a drunk driving accident. I always heard the warnings and listened to them, but you really do never think you’ll find yourself in that situation. I was trying to keep my family and others on the road safe, and one person’s bad choices changed all of that. Being put in a situation like this really does put a life into perspective. You no longer see yourself as invincible. You no longer think “that could never happen to me.” When you say “I love you” to your friends and family, it suddenly takes just a little bit deeper of a meaning. You never know when you might not hear the words "I love you" back.

Tweets, pictures, and posts are being bombarded on social media for Paige and Ryan. Paige and Ryan should know that they were absolutely LOVED by the 518 community and they still are to this day. I am almost certain Paige and Ryan will never be forgotten and their story will sure have an impact on many people before they make that one bad decision.

Paige and Ryan, you two have amazing support behind you. Try a whole area code of people!! The 518 loves you, forever and always.