1. Can you please briefly introduce yourself to my readers?
My name is G-Na Casazza, I am 23 years old from Sayville, New York. I graduated from Hunter College in 2011, with a degree in Film and a Minor in Theatre. Currently I live in Los Angeles and am working on the television show Dancing with the Stars.
2. How did you feel when you learned that your grandmother had lost her life because of a drunk driver?
3. Why did you decide to make the film One Fatal Mistake after your grandmother’s accident?
At the time of the accident, I was in my first semester of college, dreaming to become a movie director. After the accident I saw first hand how it affected a family. People are selfish.
They don’t realize how there actions can affect more people than just themselves. I was in a documentary class thinking of what documentary to make and there was no better choice. Making a film on the affects a victim’s family goes through after losing a member to a drunk driver is very powerful and I believe is an important message.
4. What message do you want to send with your film?
I want to teach people that there are consequences to everyone’s actions. One choice can affect a whole school of people in either a positive or negative way. Unfortunately in this case, the choice was negative and resulted in my grandma’s untimely death.
I also didn’t want the film to come off as a “scare you straight”drunk driving film filled with just facts (although they are important), I wanted it to teach people why; I brought in people who admit to driving drunk, I added Sophia Santos’ transcript from her parole hearing, and brought in other families who also lost members to a drunk driver. I want to teach people that many people are affected by one choice you make whether it is less than a mile to your destination or ten miles, things can happen.
Why take that risk? It’s different when you put your own life in danger, but to put everyone else’s life on the road in danger too is so wrong and affects a myriad of people. I really want to get that message through to people; there are consequences to your action and once choice hurt so many people.
5. What were your challenges in making the film?
There were so many challenges I faced while making One Fatal Mistake. One of the many challenges was finding people admit to driving drunk. So many people do it, but no one seemed to want to admit to it or talk about it, even after promising to black out their faces and disguise their voice, but I didn’t want to give up on finding people and convincing them to be apart of this film.
I really thought that was important. Other problems I faced was technical, my hard drive crashed twice. Things went wrong during a few shoots, but that was how I learned. Everyone was great in getting interviews with and through all the challenges I ended up being very happy with the result.
6. What advice can you offer to other families who have suffered a loss due to a drunk driver?
It’s completely hard and every loss is different. Even within my own family we all lost my grandma and each grieved differently, each family member faced it differently. A loss is a loss no matter what way you look at it.
It’s sad, it’s tragic, and it’s extremely upsetting and nothing can heal that loss. There is always going to be a hole in my heart because I never got to say goodbye. My grandma’s life ended because of one girl’s foolish mistake and that hurt so much because it could have been prevented. Nothing I say can fill that hole or make the grieving process easier because it’s hard.
7. What suggestions do you have for anyone who may be tempted to drink and drive?
Everyone is tempted, even I am tempted when I go out with friends, but I understand the damage drinking and driving can do. It’s not a risk I want to take no matter how tempting it can be. ALWAYS plan ahead.
Decide before you go out who is the designated driver. Are you getting a taxi, if so, put the number in your cellphone. Don’t put yourself in that situation and you won’t be tempted. Be prepared and understand that Drinking and Driving is a HUGE risk and can affect more people then just yourself.
Some additional information:
Visit G-Na’s One Fatal Mistake website
Click Here and Here to read news articles about the accident.
And of course Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Please pass this along and share — it’s too important not to. Thanks!
What are your thoughts about drinking and driving? Please share in comments.
Wonderful interview Cathy!
I guess it’s people like G-Na who make an effort to spread word about such incidents, something that most of us undergo in our lives, but few talk about it. It is nice that she’s taken the initiative to create awareness about drunk driving as it’s such a common mistake that often turns fatal.
We were in a car accident once also, though it was the other car that hit us whose driver was drunk. It wasn’t our fault, yet both sides were affected. We had a damaged car and a few bruises, while that driver lost his life. Every day or so we come across such incidents, which makes me wonder as to why people aren’t careful when they drive. Especially if you are drunk – don’t drive – period. Make it a rule, and don’t risk yours and everyone else’s lives because of you.
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Hi Harleena,
G-Na’s family has been impacted greatly by this incident. The women who was driving drunk and killed her grandmother could have so easily made a better choice. This is what we want to remind our teens on a regular basis as well as older people who get behind the wheel after having drinking. Thanks for leaving your thoughts. Take care.
G-na, I find it incredible that you had the strength to do this having to relive the event to help others is an inspiration in itself. I would like to know where I can purchase a copy of this to possibly share with my family groups. Is it available? I could not tell from the website.
Thanks, Jenny
Hi Jenny,
Welcome and thanks for your interest. I asked G-Na that same questions and she said that the videos are available on the website. If you go under 03Support, click on the link that says “Purchase One Fatal Mistake on DVD.” Take care.
Hi G-Na and Cathy – thank you so much for this important interview and your open sharing of your story, G-Na. I’m terribly sorry about your Grandma and as you say, for something so senseless. Your documentary sounds like it will be a powerful film – especially having people who’ve driven drunk speak – perhaps they can shed light on what leads up to their decision to drive after drinking. Take care.
Hi Lisa,
G-Na is doing a great service to have made this film, and you are right, the film will be powerful because of the people who are sharing their past experiences of drunk driving. Thanks so much for stopping by. Take care.
This is such an important film. This film may be healing for many of us whose lives have been forever changed by a drunk driver. Thank you G-Na.
Hi Darris,
I’m sorry if your life has been changed because of a drunk driver. It is such a senseless act and one that can be so easily avoided by planning ahead as G-Na suggested. Take care.
Hi G-Na and Cathy:
G-Na – Sorry to hear about the loss of your grandmother. I am sure she would be very proud of what you have accomplished in her honor and the potential lives you are saving.
I am impressed that you completed a film right out of school. No small achievement.
Best wishes on your future projects.
Hi Wendy,
It is amazing that G-Na has made this important film so early in her career. Great message that we all need to hear. Take care.
G-Na,
What an amazing accomplishment. I will visit your website! This looks like an important movie for teens to see. I think my sons could definitely benefit from this.
Thank you Cathy for sharing.
Hi Betsy,
This movie is perfect for all teens to realize the dangers of drinking and driving. Thanks for sharing with your sons. Take care.
Thanks G-Na for all your efforts to promote awareness of the many lives affected by drunk driving. To accomplish this straight out of school is phenomenal. Kudos to you. I’m definitely heading over to check out your website.
And thank you Cathy for bringing this to our awareness.
Love Elle
xoxo
Hi Elle,
G-Na has done a great service for all of us. This message is so needed to be heard again and again, especially for young people. Thanks for stopping by. Take care.
This is so powerful. What a wise young woman. I’d like to know where we can view the film. Thanks so much for sharing this!
Hi Tess,
She is a wise women. Making a film from the passion of her family’s story is sure to make her a success. You can purchase the film on her website that is listed at the bottom of the post. Take care.
Hi Cathy,
Your interview with G-Na was brilliant. Thank you very much to the both of you for raising awareness about such an important topic. Driving while drunk in my opinion, is one of the most irresponsible things a person can do. Risking one’s life while drink driving is one thing, but risking the lives of other innocent drivers is, as G-Na said, plain selfish.
I lost an uncle recently in a car crash because other drivers were driving dangerously. This is such a waste of life caused by other people who just had to act like responsible drivers. However, they failed to do so.
Hi Hiten,
I’m so sorry about the loss of your uncle. It is a challenging situation, when family members know that the accident could have been avoided if people had been more responsible. G-Na’s movie will be an important reminder to teens as well as all adults who drive, to plan ahead and be a responsible driver.
Thanks and take care.
We have to raise awareness of drink-driving. More importantly, we have to teach our youngsters about how it destroys lives – not only the victim’s, but their family and the drunk’s family as well.
This is a great thing to do. I think we should see it much more often. My own mother was killed on the road, so I can relate.
Hi Anne,
I’m so sorry to hear about your mother. It is important to share the dangers of drinking and driving. Thanks for your support and kind words.
Hi G-Na and Cathy,
This is a powerful message today. Drunk driving is truly selfish act. Whenever we act out of selfishness, the choices we make harm humankinds’ collective consciousness of unity and harmony. I’ve made selfish decisions, and I’ve made selfless decisions. I’ve never regretted a selfless decision. The impact of the decision to drive drunk impacted many lives of friends and family on both sides. It is great to see G-Na creating a positive out of a negative by raising awareness.
i like the idea
people are usually unaware of the risks until they encounter a major problem because of a fatal mistake , making them aware of such risks is very important
thanks Cathy
Pingback: Treatment Talk – 4 Lessons I Learned From My Dad's Alcoholism | Treatment Talk
G-na, I am always proud of you and this powerful message. Cathy…great interview
A very difficult subject but so important to spread the word
Welcome Neil! It is wonderful that G-Na has taken on this project. It is important that everyone, especially young teen drivers know the dangers of drinking and driving, so I am grateful she is spreading the word! Take and thanks for stopping by!