PREVENT & DETECT WRONG WAY DRIVERS

Lately, it seems like we hear about a person being killed by a wrong way driver all too often.  It is a sad reality and last year (in 2013,) it hit home in my community, when two young girls were killed by another girl, their same age who had been drinking and driving and ended up going the wrong way on the highway.

The families of all involved were devastated.

Their story was all over the news locally and even nationally.  It was such a tragic event, that took the lives of two beautiful young women, ages 20 and 21.  It was a sad, sad and much preventable event that occurred the night of November 17, 2013. 

Even my young children were aware of this tragedy, because the brother (Jesse) of one of the girls killed, works at the local hockey rink, where my youngest son plays ice hockey and he is amazingly kind to them (my kids.)  Their hearts ached for Jesse and his family.  And then I had to explain to them in detail how it happened.  How it could have been prevented and how dangerous drinking and driving or doing drugs is.

Now, when we pass by the highway where they were killed, we always mention them, and remember their families.  I always tell my kids to remember how tragically it ended and how it could have been prevented.

Sadly, this was not the first case my family had heard about "wrong way" drivers.  Five years before, our oldest daughter's very good friend, Brandon, had also been killed on the same exact highway, also by a wrong way driver.  The burn marks still remain on the stretch of highway.  Another tragic loss to a family and our town.

It is extremely sad that these young people lost their lives so young and in such a tragic way.

Yet, despite all the grief and sadness, one of the families, took action, in a positive way and founded an organization called: Marisa's Way - Detection for Prevention. 

Marisa's Way is a not-for-profit organization, whose vision is to improve the safety of "Wrong Way" entrances on our highways and to support families in similar tragedies.  Donations to this organization are accepted at http://www.marisasway.org/.

Please remember to never drink and drive.  Teach your children the dangers of the road and how to drive and act responsibly.  Remember, the lives lost and help spread the word about "Marisa's Way."

This video was created by Jesse Catronio, older brother of Marisa Carronio.

From Jesse , on behalf of younger brother Dustin and the entire family.....

"This is In loving memory of our sister Marisa Catronio and her best friend Katie Ferrante ...... 

Please drive safely if you are heading out today"

You can stay up to date on Marisa's Way's progress on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatronioWay