Hearts were broken across the Southeast when a car crash claimed the life of 23-year-old Philip Lutzenkirchen, a former Auburn football player, on June 29.
Just as the Auburn Family was beginning to heal from its loss, Georgia State Police released the blood alcohol content levels of the driver of the vehicle and Lutzenkirchen, which reopened the wound for those affected by his death.
USA Today said the supplemental accident report published Aug. 6 revealed Joseph Ian Davis, 22, who was driving Lutzenkirchen and two other passengers, had a BAC level of 0.17 - more than twice Georgia's legal limit of 0.08.
After failing to stop at an intersection, the 2006 Chevy Tahoe that held the four passengers hit two ditches and overturned for 129 feet on Lower Big Springs Road in LaGrange, Georgia. The force ejected Davis and Lutzenkirchen from the vehicle, killing both.
Test results also revealed Lutzenkirchen, who was seated behind Davis, had a BAC level of 0.377.
After reporting this information about the fatal accident, news stations across the nation received thousands of comments from upset readers and viewers.
Charlie Reynolds, who read a similar article on espn.go.com, commented, "Lutzenkirchen was a passenger. I don't see why this is even news. The families don't need this right now. Classless move, ESPN."
While many disagree with the recent reports, some have seen a value in releasing the alcohol-related information to the public.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 1,825 college students between the ages 18-24 die each year from unintentional alcohol-related injuries.
"The majority of college students will experiment with alcohol," said Randy Cerovsky, associate director of public safety. "The important thing is that they do it responsibly."
Cerovsky said drinking responsibly means using a designated driver.
"When someone is assigned the role of designated driver, it doesn't mean that he or she can have two or three drinks while everyone else has eight, and then get behind the wheel because they're the 'most sober,'" Cerovsky said.
One Auburn police officer gave similar advice.
"The designated driver shouldn't have anything alcoholic to drink, period," said Capt. William Mathews. "Designated driver means you are designated to have zero drinks for the entire evening so you can get everyone home safely. Even one beer will negatively impact your reaction time on the road."
With outings involving alcohol consumption, Mathews and Cerovsky advise students to drink in moderation to maximize safety.
"There's a difference between drinking to have fun with friends, and drinking to the point of harming yourself," Mathews said. "We have to take anyone with a BAC over 0.3 to the hospital before we deal with him or her legally. Anything 0.4 or higher is near the death area unless you're a chronic alcoholic. Don't do that to yourselves even if you're not getting behind the wheel."
Mathews advises not to get in the car with anyone who has had even one drink. This rule applies to drinking alcohol at any age - not just young people.
"Offer to share a taxicab with your designated driver if they've had a drink," Mathews said. "It's always better to be safe than sorry, and prevent an injury or tragedy that will affect you and your loved ones for the rest of your lives."
College students are often strapped for money, and taxicabs may seem expensive, but Mathews said it's worth the money compared to the alternative.
"A taxi is much less expensive than the fines that would be incurred from a DUI charge, wrecking your vehicle, or hospital and funeral costs you may cause yourself or others," Mathews said.
Tiger Taxi, KGM Auburn Trax and the Tiger Ten buses are options for students downtown.
Of Lutzenkirchen, Cerovsky spoke positively.
"There's been a lot of positive things said about Phil since the accident, and they're all true," Cerovsky said. "I know because I knew him."
Cerovsky said no matter what news comes out of Lutzenkirchen's death, the positive memories of him should remain untarnished.
"Similarly, I wouldn't think any less of a student who was intoxicated even if he or she was clearly underage," Cerovsky said. "I wouldn't think anything less of them, and neither would any police officer or Tiger Transit driver."
Cerovsky advised students to take the safe way home.
"For the sake of your well-being and the sake of the Auburn Family, make smart choices when drinking," Cerovsky said. "Don't drive, take the Tiger Ten, but more than anything, stay safe."
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