Drunk Driving Victim and Author of Spring Break Marks 26 Years of Saving Lives

Another year has passed for New Jersey personal injury attorney Steven Benvenisti, marking the 26^th anniversary of his near death experience after being struck as a pedestrian by a drunk driver while in college. Steven celebrates this anniversary every year by donating thousands of dollars to charity, representing $1 in the honor of each and every person on his email and Facebook list.

He was living the dream at The College of New Jersey with 6 weeks left until graduation. He was an athlete, President of an honors society, the next homecoming king, had a girlfriend, and was a brother in a national fraternity. He and his college buddies took what was supposed to be a fun getaway for Spring Break in Daytona Beach, Florida. Little did he know that his life was about to change forever. One night, the then 21-year-old student was struck by a repeat-offender drunk driver, crushing his legs and causing him to be in a 10-day coma. His family was asked to consent to organ donation, because survival was not likely. His family and friends were devastated.

The drunk driver’s vehicle shattered Benvenisti’s legs and he sustained a traumatic brain injury requiring 6 months of hospitalization, 15 surgeries and extensive rehabilitation. His two year struggle to walk and talk again was unbearable. Miraculously, Benvenisti survived and attained a 100% full recovery of his catastrophic injuries. In turn, he promised he would dedicate his life to representing injured victims and has done so as a partner of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C.

Not only was Steven able to overcome the physical challenges of walking and running again, but he also fully recovered from the traumatic brain injuries. He graduated Mag Cum Laude from college and graduated from law school. He is on the national board of directors of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and serves on the board of trustees for The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey.  In addition, he is an active partner at the law firm of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., where he dedicates his law practice to representing DUI victims and individuals suffering from traumatic brain injuries. Over the years, Benvenisti has done everything in his power to stop drunk driving. He was one of the lucky ones, as not everyone had the chance to share their story and live on.

Each year during the spring season, Benvenisti visits high schools all over the country to tell his story in hope that students can grasp the risks associated with drinking and drunk driving. In his book, Spring Break: A True Story of Hope and Determination, he reveals his hardships and recovery from his event.

There is no better way to honor Steven Benvenisti than to make a contribution in any amount to either Mothers Against Drunk Driving or The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey.

MADD is a non-profit organization established by a mother who lost her daughter to a drunk driver’s recklessness. The organization’s mission is “to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.”

BIANJ, also a non-profit organization and was founded by parents of children who suffer from brain injuries. BIANJ creates support groups, advocates for brain injury victims and raises awareness through education and prevention campaigns.