BAKERSFIELD, CA - The deaths of two women in Rosedale make 14 DUI fatalities in Kern County this year. There were 15 in all of last year.
The problem of drinking and driving doesn't seem to be getting better. That's why Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Kern County is holding its first ever Walk or Run Like MADD 5K September 20th to raise awareness and give families and friends of victims a chance to remember like Carla Pearson.
June 2, 2002, Pearson's son was killed. Adam Pierce, was a 23-year-old motocross superstar. As his life was soaring, he got into a car with a repeat drunk driver behind the wheel.
"I told a good friend of mine the other day that I sat on my couch and 2 days ago and I just cried. We couldn't fix him. We couldn't fix what had happened. And I think that's what I struggle with the most, and I try to make something good come out of something so horrific in our life," said Pearson.
As a member of MADD, Pearson continues to make good. The non-profit helps victim's through the legal process, holds classes for offenders, and offers overall support and prevention.
Now, Pearson is helping bring a DUI awareness event, Run or Walk Like MADD to Bakersfield. A community can see real victims and their families facing pain that could have been prevented.
"I mean the numbers they don't seem to be going down which is why a walk like this and a run like this is needed to raise awareness," said George Barrientos, who is helping market the event.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports a driver will be under the influence 87 times before they are caught. And, someone is killed in a DUI crash every 51 minutes.
"People for for what ever reason don't seem to be getting it. There's no reason you should be drinking and driving in this age," said Barrientos.
"We live this every day and and it just goes over and over and over in your mind. And you seem to not be able to clear it," said Pearson.
But she can spread it, the message, drinking and driving destroys and it needs to stop. And, it can with a community coming together for this event, taking the steps toward a solution and reassuring the pain is not in vain.
"You know, I think the biggest thing for people that when their loved one was lost that people will forget them. And this is a chance to say you're not going to forget them," said Pearson.
The Walk or Run Like MADD 5K is this Saturday, September 20, at the Park at River Walk. Registration begins at 5:30 in the morning. The program starts at 7:00. Victims, friends and family members will be there as well as County District Attorney, Lisa Green to address the crowd.
The money raised goes toward the local MADD chapter.
The problem of drinking and driving doesn't seem to be getting better. That's why Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Kern County is holding its first ever Walk or Run Like MADD 5K September 20th to raise awareness and give families and friends of victims a chance to remember like Carla Pearson.
June 2, 2002, Pearson's son was killed. Adam Pierce, was a 23-year-old motocross superstar. As his life was soaring, he got into a car with a repeat drunk driver behind the wheel.
"I told a good friend of mine the other day that I sat on my couch and 2 days ago and I just cried. We couldn't fix him. We couldn't fix what had happened. And I think that's what I struggle with the most, and I try to make something good come out of something so horrific in our life," said Pearson.
As a member of MADD, Pearson continues to make good. The non-profit helps victim's through the legal process, holds classes for offenders, and offers overall support and prevention.
Now, Pearson is helping bring a DUI awareness event, Run or Walk Like MADD to Bakersfield. A community can see real victims and their families facing pain that could have been prevented.
"I mean the numbers they don't seem to be going down which is why a walk like this and a run like this is needed to raise awareness," said George Barrientos, who is helping market the event.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports a driver will be under the influence 87 times before they are caught. And, someone is killed in a DUI crash every 51 minutes.
"People for for what ever reason don't seem to be getting it. There's no reason you should be drinking and driving in this age," said Barrientos.
"We live this every day and and it just goes over and over and over in your mind. And you seem to not be able to clear it," said Pearson.
But she can spread it, the message, drinking and driving destroys and it needs to stop. And, it can with a community coming together for this event, taking the steps toward a solution and reassuring the pain is not in vain.
"You know, I think the biggest thing for people that when their loved one was lost that people will forget them. And this is a chance to say you're not going to forget them," said Pearson.
The Walk or Run Like MADD 5K is this Saturday, September 20, at the Park at River Walk. Registration begins at 5:30 in the morning. The program starts at 7:00. Victims, friends and family members will be there as well as County District Attorney, Lisa Green to address the crowd.
The money raised goes toward the local MADD chapter.