The annual MADD 5K event was held at River Walk Park on Sept. 21. The event intends to raise awareness to prevent more DUIs from happening. The fight is to reach out to people to stop driving drunk & drugged to save lives before ending someone’s. To create a better future with no more victims.
According to Kern County, we are ranked the worst case for DUI arrests & injury crashes in California. The total amount raised was $68,501, surpassing the $50,000 goal.
Many came out in support, as the event had many booth vendors and organizations from the community, with each providing its resources. The event started with a ceremony and announcements before the fun began with a kid’s fun run and the 5k walk & run.
Lorraine Duran, a mother to Liliana Duran Valencia, and a team of 15 people walk for her daughter in remembrance Duran talks about the tragic event, as she states, “My family and I were involved in a crash on the way home when a drunk driver was going 119, and hit us from behind and my little girl suffered with her life and the rest of us suffered injuries, which were my husband and other son and cousin.” Overcoming this is not easy and something many do not live with every day. Duran said that “with support from family and friends and community,” she can push forward to be strong for her family. She also sends a statement to those who risk their lives driving under the influence, “to stop and think and find an alternate way home.’
Pamela Sherman is a walker for the event, and she is a DUI victim herself. Sherman spoke on why she came out to participate, “I came with my two sons that we were hit by a drunk driver after being in an accident a few years ago.” Sherman and her children survived, but faced many injuries that will live with but are alive.
The organization booth called “NAMI” stands for National Alliance on Mental Illness which came out to promote mentalhealth services. They provide services that are free for all. On Oct. 5, a 2k walk will be held at BC for mental health awareness.
It’s always a great reminder to stop and think about the lives that will be affected if one drives under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It’s safer to use Uber, Lyft or get picked up by someone you know, which may help to save a life.
