(MARION COUNTY, Ind.) - April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, but even though the month is coming to an end, Marion County will continue efforts to raise awareness about the risks with a campaign continuing through September. And what’s more, this campaign is federally funded.
"We got a $70,000 grant from the federal government to use at this time,” said Lt. Richard Kivett of the Marion County Traffic Partnership Branch.
The county was awarded this grant following a year-and-a-half-long study of distracted driving crashes.
The findings are alarming.
From the period of January 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 distracted driving accounted for 3725 crashes. Of these crashes, 2995 involved property damage; there were 735 personal injuries; and 5 fatalaties.
One Clinton County woman said she’s in full support of this new campaign, as she lost her daughter in a distracted driving crash.
Jill Droesch said her 17-year-old daughter Maria was always smiling and never met a stranger.
“She could be in the Walmart line and make a conversation with somebody,” smiled Droesch.
On June 20, 2016, Maria left the house to see a friend before going to a 4-H meeting, and Droesch said 45 minutes later, she got a phone call.
“I didn’t think it was anything serious. I went out there and waited, they said she was trapped in the car, so I was just waiting for them to get her out. Two and a half hours later, they let me know that she never made it,” said Droesch.
Now, Droesch serves as advocate to warn others of distracted driving's impact.
"I just wanted to turn a negative situation into a positive and try to save other people,” said Droesch.
Lietenant Kivett said this new campaign isn’t about getting money from your wallet, but rather to avoid anything like what happened to Droesch.
"We're not trying to punish people by giving them a monetary fine. It's to change their behavior to make them better drivers and make them more aware out here," said Lt. Kivettl
Take it from Droesch, distracted driving isn't worth the aftermath.
Droesch said she and her family gathered with Maria’s friends just last week to celebrate Maria’s 19th birthday, cake and all.
"Just hoping she would be here," said Droesch.
The 3rd Annual Maria Droesch Jr Leader 5K Color Fun-Run/Walk will be on Saturday, June 16.
You can search the event on Facebook to get all the details to support the family.
