Crime & Safety
HCSO Dedicates Brandon DUI Checkpoint to Drunken Driver Victim
Linda Unfried, president of the Hillsborough chapter of Mothers Against Drunken Drivers MADD), receives a plaque on behalf of her sister, Josie DiStefano Palomino, who died at the hands of a drunken driver nearly three decades ago.
In memory of Josie DiStefano Palomino the DUI checkpoint Jan. 26 in Brandon was dedicated in the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office's attempt to put a face to the sorrow caused by drunken drivers.
Palomino was killed by a drunken driver nearly 28 years ago, and her sister, Linda Unfried, was at the Jan. 26 checkpoint to recieve a plaque in memory of her family member.
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Unfried is president of the Hillsborough County chapter of Mother's Against Drunk Drivers. In that capacity she has dedicated decades of her life to raise public awareness about the dangers of drunken drivers, according to the sheriff's report on the plaque award.
The sheriff's office will continue to dedicate DUI checkpoints to a person whose life has been lost because of drunken driving.
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"We will continue to lead the effort in arresting drunk drivers and removing them from our roadways in hopes one day these dedications will no longer be needed," said Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee.
The overnight checkpoint that began Jan. 26 was near Brandon Boulevard (State Road 60) and Parsons Avenue.
The Hillsbrough County Sheriff’s Office has an “Operation 3D” public awareness campaign, named for the admonition: “Don’t Drink & Drive.”
Part of Operation 3D includes regular checkpoints at advertised locations throughout the county.
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