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CHRIS CAFFERY Remembers Late SAVATAGE Guitarist CRISS OLIVA

October 17, 2006

Guitarist Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA) has posted this message on his official web site:

"Today [Oct. 17] is the day we lost one of the greatest musicians ever. He was also a dear friend, a brother.

"Criss Oliva [SAVATAGE guitarist] was taken from us 13 years ago. Some of you are very aware of this, those who are not I wanted to place a reminder here today.

"The lives of all of us in the SAVATAGE and Oliva family have never been the same since. The lives of millions of SAVATAGE fans have never been the same. One can only imagine the magic he would have brought to our live through his music today.

"Missing you as always, Criss!"

As most SAVATAGE fans know, in the early morning hours of October 17, 1993 Criss Oliva and Dawn were en route to the Livestock Festival in Zephyrhills, Florida when tragedy struck. They were hit head-on by a drunk driver. Criss was killed and Dawn suffered severe injuries.

The driver of the other car, Garth McNamee, was found to have a drunk driving record of seven prior DUIs and having a blood alcohol content of .294 percent (legal Florida limit is .10 percent) and sustained fractured left ribs, jaw, nose, right wrist, and both lower legs with lacerations to his face, legs and right hand, according to RealSavatage.com. The drunk driver was charged and convicted of DUI manslaughter, DUI serious injury, and vehicular homicide but served only 18 months jail time and had his driver's license revoked indefinitely. He was also ordered to write the Oliva family an apology letter and was said to be paying restitution of $100 a month to Dawn Oliva.

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