Casket brings attention to DUI

Students at Lake Placid High School saw something Thursday not often on display in a school.

Along the wall of the Commons area underneath a canopy was a casket with a green covering. Some flowers and a green baseball cap were placed on top of the casket. A white cross with a football jersey draped over it was next to the casket.

"I wanted to get your attention, so you are talking about it," said Highlands County Sheriff's Office Deputy Ross Porter, the school resource officer. "I want you to think."

Porter, who said he borrowed the casket from Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home, wants the students to be aware of the consequences of DUI as they look forward to their prom this weekend.

Porter went over the DUI laws and penalties. He noted the costs as well and it's not cheap as far as insurance is concerned.

According to Porter, the average cost of a first DUI arrest is $8,000. He said the cost to insure a teenage driver is approximately $600 every six months. The amount could increase to $4,000 every six months.

Lake Placid's prom will be held this Saturday at the Highlands County Fair Convention Center in Sebring. Porter said deputies will be aware of that and that extra enforcement will be set up. He added that the Sebring Police Department will also be informed because the location is in its jurisdiction.

Sebring High School has scheduled its prom for May 14.

Porter said he is concerned about prom and then graduation parties in June.

"Students do talk to me and some of your friends are worried that you are out of control," he said. "I want you to be safe.

"If they stick you in that box, you can't say 'Oops, I made a mistake,' '' Porter said.

Porter talked to the students about Richie Cormier, a Sebring High School graduate who played at South Florida Community College.

Cormier, who was an infielder and a catcher, signed with Milwaukee Brewers. However, as Porter noted, his professional baseball career ended as a result of poor decisions.

According to Porter, Cormier got into a fight with a Milwaukee's second round draft pick and left the organization.

Cormier joined the St. Louis Cardinals as a free agent. A couple of weeks before spring training, he had been drinking and car slammed his car into a truck. Porter said Cormier didn't know how he hit the truck.

Another time, according to Porter, Cormier was drunk and goes to a party. He leaves and plans to return.

However, when he does, he goes to the wrong house. Cormier tried to force his way into the house and is shot twice. Porter said Cormier had to have a thigh graft and still has pellets in his leg.

Porter said Cormier was going to speak to the Lake Placid students, but he was unable to make it because his wife had a baby Wednesday.