Portland Personal Injury Law Blog

Well-intentioned legislation aiming to lower car accidents related to distracted driving is necessary. However, it’s just as necessary for individuals and groups of private citizens to take up the cause, raise awareness, and hopefully get through to people that cell phones and driving are a deadly mix.

It’s unfortunate that many of those people who take the cause up with passion have been immediately touched by the tragedy associated with distracted driving. And tragedy doesn’t get any more heart-wrenching than the story of two-year-old Anna Brulotte of Bellingham, Washington.

On September 30, 2010, Anna and siblings Alice, 9, and Sam, 7, were with their mother Melissa as they crossed the street in a school zone. That’s when a distracted teen driver caused a two-car accident that killed Anna instantly.

While Melissa is bit reluctant about taking up the cause, one can assume there is a bit of therapy in sharing your story and trying to make a difference.

Not long after the accident, Melissa joined a group at the state capitol in Olympia to testify on behalf of enhancing penalties against drivers who injure “vulnerable users” of roads, such as bicyclists and pedestrians.

She also started the Anna Brulotte Memorial Foundation which raises money for grants for programs that promote safer school zones and for local law enforcement agencies to target dangerous drivers.

“It’s hard to do it, because it’s so emotional. But the drum has to be beat,” said Melissa.

As for the 17-year-old who was responsible for the accident, she was sentenced to 30 days in a juvenile facility. She also has to serve a year under community supervision and must do 150 hours of community service, including public presentations about her experience.

That time will fly by in comparison to having to live with the emotion and guilt for the rest of her life.