Our son, Ollie, had his life tragically cut short in August of 2023 at just 10 years old because of a distracted driver. The pain of losing Ollie isn't something that will ever leave us. He was our light, our joy, and without him, there's a hole in our lives that nothing can fill.

What's disheartening is that while we mourn Ollie's absence every day, the driver who took him away from us is only facing two minor misdemeanor charges, one for careless driving and one for tampering with physical evidence. This incongruence in justice is heartbreaking, dissatisfying, and simply unacceptable. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 3,000 people were killed by distracted driving in the US in 2019 alone. Yet, the consequences remain disproportionately minimal.

The trial is slated for December, and we believe this is a chance for justice. We're calling on the authorities to elevate the charges in Ollie's case. Such a roughshod approach to incidents of this magnitude does nothing to deter potential offenders and thus, perpetuates a vicious cycle of preventable tragedies such as Ollie's.

By signing this petition, we're asking for justice for Ollie and countless other children who've fallen victim to distracted driving. In Ollie's memory, let's strive for a future where no parent has to lose their child to a preventable tragedy. Please, sign our petition and follow us on @Ollies.Bike.Parade on Instagram/@OlliesBike (X) for updates.