CRASH! CRUNCH, SCRATCH...CRUSH! Metal on metal at high speeds. Two cars facing one another. Headlights were locked until they were entwined. The sound echoed as the cars hit — one with an intoxicated driver and the other with my best friend and teammate, Emily, in it. Woods Road woke up to the sound of two cars colliding, then sirens blaring, horns roaring, and flashing lights as emergency vehicles came to the rescue. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, and three were rushed to the hospital. Emily was one of the unfortunate ones, as she lay unconscious with no oxygen flowing to her brain. This was how the start of my freshman year began. That night changed everything I had ever known about responsibility, safety, and life. Ever since, I have seen how it affected my life and those of her other friends and family, and I have made it my mission to drive with purpose and share my story with others. To me, impaired driving means any form of driving where a person’s ability to think clearly, react quickly, or stay focused is weakened. It is often misunderstood because most people think of it as just alcohol impairment, but drugs and other strong emotions also interfere with safe driving.

She suffered severe brain trauma and bleeding and was in a coma for six months. She continued to fight, and nine months after being hospitalized, she was transferred to the ICU. Her days were full of therapy such as PT, OT, and speech. She was unable to walk, eat, or speak on her own and would be wheelchair-bound for the foreseeable future. She would have to relearn everything — walking, talking, and swallowing. The first time her closest friends were allowed to visit her was on her birthday, nine months after the accident. It was super hard for us to see her as she looked so different, but her spirit remained strong. I thought back to her level ten gymnastics days, which seemed like a lifetime ago, but I knew she was a fighter.

During this time, I made it my mission to help her family in any way possible. I created poster boards with pictures of us and our team to decorate her room. I helped raise awareness of the financial struggles her family faced and started small fundraisers. Our team made and sold T-shirts and purple leotards that said, “She is strong.” We were able to help her family with some medical bills. This tragic event changed how I view responsibility behind the wheel and taught me how easily it can destroy lives. It inspired me to advocate for stronger awareness for all drivers through peers and the community. Emily’s story completely changed the way I think about impaired and distracted driving. It showed me that one person’s decision can affect hundreds of lives, and it shaped the choices I make every time I am behind the wheel.

Today, drivers most often deal with impairments such as alcohol, marijuana or other drugs, texting, technology use, and fatigue. Each impairs the brain in different ways that lead to risky behaviors. However, after witnessing what distracted driving can do, I realized that awareness is not enough. To help prevent it, people need information reinforced in multiple ways. In high school and college, peer-led programs that consistently discuss the topic can be effective. Having guest speakers share real experiences can touch the hearts of those in the audience and leave a lasting impact. Another tactic that can help prevent impaired driving is having pre-planned sober drivers for every event. Knowing exactly who can get you home is extremely important and leaves no room for questionable drivers. Therefore, planning sober drivers in advance helps the night run smoother and safer.

While I tried to stay strong for Emily, the fear and trauma of what happened began to affect me in my personal life. Fourteen months after her accident, I turned sixteen, and it was my time to learn to drive. I did everything I could to avoid it because the road was terrifying to me. I took my permit test three months late to delay the process. Then, six months after my permit test, I was eligible for my junior license test, but I had not even sat in the driver's seat yet. People started to ask if I had my license or when I was getting it, and I just shrugged. I did not think people would really understand how I had trauma when I was not even involved in the accident. My mom enrolled me in driver’s education and driving lessons as a way to help me heal. During my first driving lesson, I could not stop shaking. I was so focused on the road that I could not hear anything my instructor was saying. My mind was blank. I took more lessons after that and realized I had to become brave because at some point I was going to have to overcome my fear or at least live with it. Every lesson I started off by taking deep breaths, and it became easier. I practiced every chance I could but never really enjoyed this taste of freedom.

Fast forward a few months, and I no longer physically shake or panic when I enter a car. Instead, I remain focused, calm, and cautious about my driving and surroundings. Despite the dangers of the road, I can live with this fear and accept it as part of me. I want other drivers to understand how the responsibility of driving a car can change lives in seconds. Schools that include personal stories, like Emily’s, can leave a lasting impact and make our roads safer for everyone. Community events and peer discussions help young drivers realize that just one careless decision can destroy others’ lives.

Because of my experience, I can encourage my friends and peers to think twice before driving distracted or impaired and remind them of the real consequences. My training in driver’s education, combined with what I’ve lived through, gives me the confidence to influence others to make safer decisions behind the wheel. When I drive now, I drive with gratitude and caution because Emily will not get to experience this freedom. Maybe all those affected by this accident — family, friends, teammates, and even strangers — will drive a bit differently and safer, which may even save a life. If my story can influence one person to avoid making a careless mistake or stop someone from changing their life forever, then Emily’s fight will continue to make a difference.