(Zachary Meseck photo)

NORWICH – As part of the Norwich Driver’s Education course offered through Norwich High School, Kelly Collins-Colosi shared the story of a drunk driving accident that claimed four lives, including her sister’s, 19 years ago, and why there is no excuse for drunk driving.

According to Norwich High School Counselor Kelly Collins-Colosi, her sister Emily died approximately 19 years ago on Nov. 11, 2000. Collins-Colosi said her sister was one of three young women from Norwich that were killed after accepting a ride from a college student who shortly after struck a tree near Colgate University.

She said Katie Almeter, Emily Col­lins, Rachel Nargiso, and Kevin King died due to the crash.

The driver Robert Koester survived, and Collins-Colosi said police discovered Koester had a blood alcohol content more than double the legal limit at the time of the accident. She said Koester crashed into a tree just a quarter-mile up the road after he picked them up.

“To put things in perspective for you, that’s like a drive from (The Norwich High School) to Midland Drive,” said Collins-Colosi. “Four people were killed in less than 30 seconds.”