SOBERING MESSAGE
Memorial for woman killed by drunk driver travels to Saratoga County
MILTON, N.Y. >> People are bound to party on and around St. Patrick’s Day.
The family of the late Amy Stock, whose life was cut short by a drunken driver, wants those who drink not to get behind the wheel of a car.
“Do one or the other, but not both,” said Stock’s brother, Tom, of Greenfield.
The traveling Amy Stock Memorial, whose focal point is the mangled car in which she died, is a sobering reminder about the consequences of driving while intoxicated. The exhibit visited Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, the first of several sites it will stop at throughout Saratoga County this week.
“It’s also important if you see something, say something,” said Stock’s sister, Maureen Moore of Glenville.
Moore said a passenger got out of the car driven
by Troy resident Kadeem Fowler, before he slammed broadside into Amy Stock’s car at 65 mph, in Albany on July 19, 2015.
Moore said things could have ended differently if the passenger had taken Fowler’s keys.
Fowler is serving eight to 24 years in state prison.
Tom Stock said people who expect to drink should make plans ahead of time to have a designated driver, stay at a friend’s house or get a taxi.
In high school, Amy Stock belonged to Students Against Drunk Driving in Gloversville. The tragic, painful irony is that her passing is still raising awareness about the need to “STOP DWI,” Tom Stock said.
“She was always out there fighting,” he said. “We decided after this happened, what would Amy do? She would keep fighting.”
The family donated her car to Otsego Country Sheriff’s Office, which created a trailer that travels throughout the state, to high schools and colleges in particular, hoping to prevent similar tragedies. Stock’s other sister, Eileen M. Anania, lives in Cooperstown.
The exhibit includes a chilling audio component — the sound of screeching tires and a loud crash, followed by sirens and a phone call to family members, telling them an accident has occurred.
Amy Stock was 48 and had recently moved from Saratoga Springs to Albany at the time of her passing. She was a professor of environmental studies at SUNY Empire State College in Saratoga Springs, a grant writer for Capital Roots in Troy and a freelance writer.
“As a friend I miss her terribly,” said Mayor Joanne Yepsen, who cofounded Sustainable Saratoga with Stock in 2009.
Saratoga County District Attorney Karen Heggen said Amy Stock’s passing was the result of bad choices.
“It’s sad that we have to do this regularly,” she said.
Sheriff Michael Zurlo said his department plans to step up road patrols this weekend.
“We will be out in full force,” he said.
The Amy Stock Memorial will be available each day this week at the following locations.
• Tuesday: (9 a.m.-3 p.m.) Empire State College, West Avenue campus, 113 West Ave, Saratoga Springs. For information call (518) 5872100, ext. 2317.
• Wednesday: (9 a.m.-1 p.m.) Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School, 88 Lakehill Road, Burnt Hills. For information call (518) 3999141.
• Thursday: (9-10:15 a.m.) Skidmore College near Palamountain Hall. For information call (585) 410-5702.
• Friday: (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) Saratoga Auto Museum in Saratoga Spa State Park, 110 Ave of the Pines, Saratoga Springs. For information call (518) 581-1935, ext. 23.
Tom Stock said sheriff’s and school programs may sign up to host the Amy Stock Memorial at the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office website. For more information go to: www.otsego-county/depts/shf/stopdwi or call (607) 547-4271.