Our family is starting this petition in memory of our infant son and in hopes of creating a safer community for our children and loved ones.

The Middleboro/Plymouth stretch of route 44 has become a notorious site for fatal car crashes and numerous other traffic violations. These numbers have been steadily increasing over the past decade. According to MASSDOT Crash Reports, in 2022 alone, there were 128 crashes just on RT 44 in Middleboro. This doesn't even include the ones involving the rotary. 46 of these crashes occurred at the intersection of RT 105/RT 44 (Plympton St). 29 of them occurred at the intersection of RT 44 and Plymouth Street. 28 occurred at the intersection of RT 44 and Old Center St. 11 occurred at the intersection of RT 44 and Everett St. Two of these crashes were fatal.

Unfortunately, our family became part of that statistic on Memorial Day Weekend of 2022. In a nightmarish turn of events, we lost our son, Cannon, at 33 weeks gestation due to a driver running a red light at the Plymouth St. intersection of RT 44. Because it was 6:30 am and there was no one else on the road, there was insufficient evidence for the state to press charges against the responsible driver. Needless to say, a year later, we are still just as heartbroken and forced to just accept what has happened and move on. 

In an attempt to prevent other families from experiencing this gut wrenching reality, we are hoping to gain signatures in support of the installation of surveillance cameras at the 4 main intersections on RT 44 Middleboro. The aim is to hold drivers responsible for their actions on the road, and make them think twice before committing a gross traffic violation. I have witnessed countless drivers take left hand turns on red and even straight through red lights at these intersections and it is so frustrating to watch. My fear is that this is going to keep happening, and another family will endure what we have gone through, or worse. 

I often wonder what would have happened if I had died that day too. My three year old daughter would have to grow up with no mom. My husband would have had to take on this world with her alone. It makes me sick to my stomach thinking about all the ways that it "could have been worse". What if my daughter had been in the car too? How would my husband have gone on after that? If nothing comes from this petition, I at least want to beg each of you to drive with more compassion for one another. Think about if you could live with yourself knowing that you took a life and changed the dynamic of someone's family forever.

I also ask that you drive defensively. Look twice, even when you're approaching a green light. Watch out for the other person, the distracted person, the person who is in a rush, the person who is under the influence, the person who is looking a little too comfortable driving. A car can easily become a two ton deadly weapon, and many people treat it like their living room. Respect the power behind the wheel. Be aware of your surroundings and plan your next move. Keep your eyes on the person in front of you and behind you. Each time you drive, think about your own family and how much they need you around. 

Please stand with us in creating safe roads and responsible drivers. Do it for your community. Do it for Cannon. This is a promise to my son that I will never stop advocating for change. Happy birthday in heaven sweet boy. We wish you were here and we love you so much! 5-28-22 <3

-Jackie, Jason & Alaina Smith