LEWISTON – The Lewiston Youth Advisory Council will host a national speaker who will talk about underage drinking at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, at a Lewiston High School assembly.

Brandon Silveria will share his story of having everything a teen could want – a job, a girlfriend and plans for the future – until he had a few drinks at a party and chose to drive home.

After falling asleep at the wheel, crossing the centerline and crashing into a tree, he was left in a coma for three months and spent several years in rehabilitation. Brandon was so badly injured that basic motor functions such as walking, talking and swallowing had to be re-learned. He has a permanent brain injury and suffers from seizures.

Maine Director of Highway Safety Lauren Stewart will be on hand to welcome Brandon and his father, Tony Silveria. Their trip to Maine is sponsored by The Century Council, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking.

Jennifer Curley of The Century Council said, “In Maine in 2006, 172 youths under age 18 were arrested for driving under the influence, and 1,247 youths were arrested for liquor law violations. Our goals with this presentation is to raise awareness about this serious problem and help our youth to make the right choice about alcohol.”