HUNDREDS FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA “WALK LIKE MADD” TO STOP DRUNK DRIVING

UP 33% SINCE 2019 
According to NHTSA, in 2022 1,479 people in California were senselessly killed by drunk drivers.

What:              
On Saturday, September 28th, impaired driving victims and their allies will gather at Granada Beach in the City of Long Beach to “Walk Like MADD.” This is Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s (MADD) annual 5K fundraiser and its largest since the start of the pandemic. Every year, more than 13,000 people are killed and almost 400,000 are injured by impaired drivers. This amounts to a person being killed or injured by a drunk driver every 79 seconds. Drunk driving fatalities have increased by 33% since 2019 – and that does not include deaths and injuries caused by drivers who were impaired by cannabis or other controlled substances.This year’s Mission Moment Dedication will honor the memory of Ruby (17) and Hart Campbell (14). While traveling in their family vehicle in Morongo Valley, the Campbell family was struck by an impaired driver. Despite rescue efforts, Ruby and Hart did not survive their injuries. Their loss is deeply mourned by their family, friends, and community. Devastating crashes like these heighten the need for MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving to address the ripple effects of this 100% preventable crime.

When:          Saturday, September 28, 2024
7:00 am Registration / Media Check-in
8:30 am Opening Ceremony
9:00 am Walk Begins

Where:        Granada Beach, 5000 E Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA
(at Granada Beach Launch Ramp located at Granada Blvd. and E. Ocean Blvd.)

Speakers:
Patricia Rillera, MADD California Executive Director
Douglas Haubert, Long Beach City Prosecutor, and MADD Southern California Advisory Board Chair
Chief Wally Hebeish, Long Beach Police Department
Arnold Hardy, Waymo First Responder Ambassador
Mission Moment Dedication: Colin Campbell and Gail Lerner, parents of Ruby and Hart

Visuals:           
At this year’s walk, victim families will be present, and there will be a photo memory wall to honor their loved ones. All registered guests will receive a sling backpack sponsored by Johnson Attorneys Group, filled with goodies from local partners like Don Francisco’s Coffee and Handheld Portable Misting Fans by NDS Printing & Promotions. Attendees can view a Waymo up close, learn about its technology from autonomous specialists, and enjoy coloring books and additional giveaways from Waymo. The Long Beach Firefighters Association, Local 372, will host lunch, while Raising Canes will provide lemonade and giveaways. Breakfast snacks, fruit, and water will be available from The Grocery Outlet, and Alani Nu will offer wellness drinks, samples, and giveaways. Water will be donated by CHP Santa Ana, and there will be coffee and more. Additionally, the event will feature K-9 guests from The John Reynolds Youth Support Canine Foundation, representing the Garden Grove Police Department, and a face painter.

If you want more information regarding Walk Like MADD walk events in California, please visit your local area to register, donate, or get more information.

# # #About Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nonprofit leader in a movement to create a world where there are #NoMoreVictims of impaired driving. By working in collaboration with law enforcement to end underage drinking and all drunk and drugged driving, MADD has helped reduce drunk driving deaths by more than 50%, saving more than 400,000 lives. The organization is a vocal advocate for tougher sentencing, new laws and new technology, including implementation of the Halt Act.

MADD also has provided supportive services to nearly one million victims of drunk and drugged driving at no charge through local victim advocates and its 24-Hour Victim Helpline 1-877-MADD-HELP.

For more information or to make a donation, visit us at
https://madd.org/and follow MADD on
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