By BROOKE FELDMAN
Nearly one person dies every 39 minutes in drunk-driving crashes across the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Bill and Muriel Elliott, of Egg Harbor Township, are determined to put an end to this daunting statistic. In 2000, the couple launched the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign in memory of their son who was killed by a drunk driver in a collision just months after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy.
On Sunday, about 300 people joined the Elliott family for the HERO Walk and One-Mile Fun Run on the Ocean City Boardwalk to memorialize drunk-driving victims and raise awareness for the use of designated drivers, the central aim of the HERO Campaign.
“It means everything to us to have people come out, not just supporting us alone but supporting each other,” Bill Elliott said. “That’s the spirit of the HERO Campaign.”
Nearly $85,000 was raised at the 12th annual event with the help of sponsors and community members. The proceeds support awareness programs, both locally and nationally.
One of the programs is the HERO Campaign vehicle wrap, which transforms police patrol vehicles to act as billboards for the cause. There are 21 municipalities participating, and about 15 were present at the event.
The latest car, a Stockton University Police Department patrol car, was unveiled in memory of Kevin Ade, a Stockton student killed in a collision by a drunk driver in 2007.
“The car is awareness,” Kevin’s father, William Ade Sr., said. “It is hope that this is going to save somebody else down the line. It is localized to my son’s story of his loss, so it’s very important to us.”
Bill Elliott can relate. The Elliott family started the HERO Campaign to carry on his own son’s spirit and legacy.
“The Ades’ son is not forgotten and lives on through the memory that this car represents and symbolizes,” Elliott said.
Over 20 other victims (names listed below) were displayed on a memory banner at the event that Bill Elliott compared to war memorials in Washington, D.C.
“It is very moving and touching to see victims’ families come and pay tribute to their loved ones that they have lost,” Elliott said.
Alongside families of the victims, students and community members gathered in the Ocean City Sports & Civic Center before the walk. Students from Egg Harbor Township High School, Absegami High School and Ocean City High School helped with face painting and fundraising activities.
Kylie Wright, a senior at Egg Harbor Township High School, is grateful for the event and the awareness it encourages.
“I’ve had family members die from drunk-driving accidents, so it really means a lot to me to see people coming out and supporting a great cause,” Kylie said.
One of the newer additions to the campaign is the HERO DUI Simulator provided by the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization. Participants could simulate what it is like driving while intoxicated using a computerized video program.
“We’ve never had someone go through the whole program and not crash,” said Traffic Safety Specialist Robert Clarke. “It is realistic.”
The simulator shows people the tragic dangers of drunken and distracted driving, while the day’s activities shed some light on a brighter future and safer roads.
“The families call it a healing experience, but I think it is much more than that,” Elliott said. “It’s a hopeful experience that the answer to drunk driving is as simple as someone getting a safe ride home. That’s where the ‘HEROes’ come in.”
Active teams of family and friends walked in memory of the following victims: Michael T. Sot, Matt Uhl, Chad Horne, Kevin Ade, Ryan Schleyer, Alfonso Lee Dickerson, Ron Moretti Jr., John Cruz, Nikk Marvel, Ricci Branca, Nicole Romanelli, Daniel “Sonny” DuRoss, Frederick Shelton, Jennifer Stoop, Mariella Mulholland, Ryan Petrille, Zachary Gonzalez, Jeffrey Natale, John Elliott, Michael Albano, Amanda Geiger, Megan Blong and Phillip Gatto.
