Walk Like MADD: Over 600 attend Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s walk event at Jones Beach
Community members, families and friends of DWI victims say the walk is part of their mission to end drunk driving.
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Over 600 people attended the nonprofit organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s Walk Like MADD event at Jones Beach.
Community members, families and friends of DWI victims say the walk is part of their mission to end drunk driving.
The largest team walked in honor of Drew Hassenbein and Ethan Falkowitz, two 14-year-old tennis stars who were killed by an alleged drunk driver on May 3. The pair of best friends had just won matches for Roslyn High School when the driver going the wrong way slammed into their vehicle.
The team walking in their honor raised nearly $31,000, the highest amount out of all the teams this year.
“They were both just the nicest kids ever and they were both really good tennis players,” said attendee Lily Janowitz.
“They were awesome children and I'm really sad about them. They could've gone so far. They were such sweet boys. They did not deserve this,” said Roslyn resident Chloe Beck.
The team says all the money will go toward advocating for stricter laws about drunk driving and supporting families.
“We really wanted to feel like we were honoring the boys and doing something that took action in some way,” said attendee Dina Kwasnicki.
Attendees Alisa and John McMorris's 12-year-old son Andrew was killed by a drunk driver five years ago.
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The family is also lobbying for “Andrew's Law”, which would authorize consecutive sentences for vehicular crimes that result in multiple victims.
“That's what this legislation is all about, saving lives,” said John McMorris.
The Long Island Walk Like MADD event is now in its 17th year. The organization says this year’s event raised over $158,000.
