Over 1100 Grand Island High School students attended a school-wide assembly to hear the powerful story of Jacy Good - a victim of distracted driving. Recognizing the importance of keeping kids safe, Trooper John Campanella, school community outreach coordinator, arranged the school-wide assembly featuring 26-year-old Jacy Good. Since the crash in 2008, Good and her fiancé Steve Johnson have devoted their life to raising awareness about the dangers of cell phone use behind the wheel.
Good’s story began four years ago on a drive home with her parents on her college graduation day. Their car was hit by an 18-year-old boy who was talking on the phone while driving - he never saw the red light. The accident claimed the lives of both her parents that day and sent Good on a long, treacherous road to regain her own life. Good shares her emotional story with the students and incorporates testimonials from her fiancé through several video clips. Johnson narrates the events from the day of the accident as they unfolded while Good recalls her personal experience following the accident. Together they tell the amazing journey to recovery and share their efforts to advocate for nationwide legislation to eradicate an epidemic that shatters thousands of American lives each year.
“Students and staff found Jacy’s message to be powerful and mesmerizing. She captured the attention of our students with her important message about the dangers of distracted driving,” says Andres Rafael Arroyo, assistant principal at Grand Island High School. “I think Jacy said it best when she reminded students that they do not have to be a victim from that car to be impacted by this story.”
Good and Johnson have appeared on Oprah and Say Yes to the Dress. They continue to work tirelessly to educate the country about the dangers of cell phone use behind the wheel. To learn more, please visit the website at www.hangupanddrive.com.
