Tyler with his sister, Rylie, who's love and devotion has turned her into an advocate for "Don't Drink and Drive."
12-13-14 was the night everything changed for Rylie Langer.
WDC 2016 graduate, Rylie Langer, attends MSU-Moorhead, where she is studying social work and criminal justice. She comes home every weekend to Wadena to give her mom a break and take care of her disabled brother.
The 2016 Wadena-Deer Creek High School graduate poured her heart out on the Wadena Memorial Auditorium stage this afternoon in front of WDC high school students to make a personal and powerful point: Don't drink and drive.
Rylie Langer's brother, Tyler, was driving drunk when the car he was driving slammed into a semi-truck, killing his best friend and leaving him unable to move, speak or eat. He requires full-time help, which is given by his mother who had quit her job.
Tyler, now 25, was in the audience this afternoon watching his sister from the front in his wheelchair. Sometimes, during Rylie's talk, laughter escaped from his lips.
Sgt. Kostohryz from the Moorhead Police Department joined Rylie on stage to give the law enforcement's perspective of when they are the first to notify families a loved one has died due to drinking and driving -- "it's a horrible part of our jobs."
WDC students signed a pledge to not drink and drive after Langer's presentation.
Rylie's presentation kicked off with a powerful video Rylie produced about how the impact of the crash has affected her family, and especially her.
She also stressed how students should ask for help if they are depressed or having problems with drinking. She pleaded with students to talk to a counselor or a teacher. "I know they will help you because I had most of the same teachers that you do now. Go to them, talk to them."
Rylie concluded her talk by saying, "One time, one DWI, one death is one too many."
She then asked students to sign a pledge to not drink and drive. A long line of students paraded up on stage and signed the pledge board with Wadena City Police Chief Naomi Plautz there, as well as Rylie.
"My goal is to reach as many people as I can. I want to be an advocate for drinking and driving," said Rylie.
Thank you, Rylie, for sharing your bittersweet story with our students and bringing awareness to drinking and driving.
Wadena Police Chief Naomi Plautz was there for the presentation and for the pledge signing.
Rylie Langer and all the WDC students who signed the pledge to "Not Drink and Drive."