‘Behind every statistic is a person, someone’s loved one’: Nonprofit organization shares local stories to honor lives lost, impacted by crashes
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- In observance of World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, DRIVE SMART Virginia shared several local stories of families and people who have been impacted by crashes to raise awareness about the importance of road safety. According to a spokesperson for DRIVE SMART Virginia, Sunday, Nov. 17 marks the annual World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, where communities and organizations honor the lives lost and those affected by traffic crashes. DRIVE SMART Virginia is a nonprofit organization charged with raising awareness and changing behavior in order to improve the safety of roadways in the Commonwealth. According to the organization, each year more than 1.3 million people die in road traffic crashes worldwide, while an estimated 50 million suffer serious and life-changing injuries, many of which result in long-term disabilities. In Virginia, the organization reported that there have been 4,554 people killed and 36,002 people seriously injured on roads over the past five years. "This day is not just about honoring victims but about a collective call for safer roads. We must remember that behind every statistic is a person, someone’s loved one. We have the power to prevent these tragedies, and we must act," said Kristin Pettway, Executive Director of DRIVE SMART Virginia. In observance of World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, the organization shared several local stories from families and people who have suffered losses or experienced life-altering changes due to vehicle crashes. According to the organization, 24-year-old Lanie Kruszewski was killed in a hit-and-run while riding her bike on River Road at Bridgeway Road in Richmond on July 29, 2012. The organization said Kruszewski was a graduate of James Madison University and a multi-sport athlete who enjoyed playing basketball, soccer and field hockey. She was a passionate and talented foodie, and received a scholarship to the Art Institute’s culinary program after placing second in the nation in a teen chef competition. “To drivers who think they can talk to their friends and amuse themselves looking at their phones while they drive, well, maybe you'll get away with it today, but maybe you won't tomorrow,” said Lanie's mother, Patty Kruszewski. In 2014, Brad Hughes lost both of his legs after he was hit by a distracted driver while he was directing traffic from a crash involving 17 vehicles on Midlothian Turnpike. He is now an advocate and spokesperson for Move Over Awareness, according to the organization. "Think of your family and the families you may impact when you take that drink or drive distracted. It's honestly not worth losing your life or harming others in the matter of three seconds," Hughes said. According to the organization, mom and grandmother Karen Giles, a longtime EMT in Amelia County, was killed when she was hit by a dump truck whose driver was reportedly texting while driving in Chesterfield in 2019. Giles was also an instructor in Virginia. "Mom was a fun-loving, dedicated person, who loved her grandchildren and her students,” said Karen’s daughter, Meredith Spies. “We love her and miss her terribly. Don’t text and drive.” For more information on how to make roads safer, visit DRIVE SMART Virginia's website.
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- In observance of World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, DRIVE SMART Virginia shared several local stories of families and people who have been impacted by crashes to raise awareness about the importance of road safety.
According to a spokesperson for DRIVE SMART Virginia, Sunday, Nov. 17 marks the annual World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, where communities and organizations honor the lives lost and those affected by traffic crashes.
DRIVE SMART Virginia is a nonprofit organization charged with raising awareness and changing behavior in order to improve the safety of roadways in the Commonwealth.
According to the organization, each year more than 1.3 million people die in road traffic crashes worldwide, while an estimated 50 million suffer serious and life-changing injuries, many of which result in long-term disabilities.
In Virginia, the organization reported that there have been 4,554 people killed and 36,002 people seriously injured on roads over the past five years.
"This day is not just about honoring victims but about a collective call for safer roads. We must remember that behind every statistic is a person, someone’s loved one. We have the power to prevent these tragedies, and we must act," said Kristin Pettway, Executive Director of DRIVE SMART Virginia.
In observance of World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, the organization shared several local stories from families and people who have suffered losses or experienced life-altering changes due to vehicle crashes.
According to the organization, 24-year-old Lanie Kruszewski was killed in a hit-and-run while riding her bike on River Road at Bridgeway Road in Richmond on July 29, 2012.
The organization said Kruszewski was a graduate of James Madison University and a multi-sport athlete who enjoyed playing basketball, soccer and field hockey. She was a passionate and talented foodie, and received a scholarship to the Art Institute’s culinary program after placing second in the nation in a teen chef competition.
“To drivers who think they can talk to their friends and amuse themselves looking at their phones while they drive, well, maybe you'll get away with it today, but maybe you won't tomorrow,” said Lanie's mother, Patty Kruszewski.
In 2014, Brad Hughes lost both of his legs after he was hit by a distracted driver while he was directing traffic from a crash involving 17 vehicles on Midlothian Turnpike. He is now an advocate and spokesperson for Move Over Awareness, according to the organization.
"Think of your family and the families you may impact when you take that drink or drive distracted. It's honestly not worth losing your life or harming others in the matter of three seconds," Hughes said.
According to the organization, mom and grandmother Karen Giles, a longtime EMT in Amelia County, was killed when she was hit by a dump truck whose driver was reportedly texting while driving in Chesterfield in 2019. Giles was also an instructor in Virginia.
"Mom was a fun-loving, dedicated person, who loved her grandchildren and her students,” said Karen’s daughter, Meredith Spies. “We love her and miss her terribly. Don’t text and drive.”
For more information on how to make roads safer, visit DRIVE SMART Virginia's website.
