On the tragic night of January 13, 2023, my daughter, Elizabeth Griser, lost her life in a devastating and avoidable incident in Pittsburgh, PA. Erin Petroski, after choosing to drive under the influence of alcohol, struck my daughter and fled the scene, leaving her without the medical attention she desperately needed. She never called 911, nor did she stop to consider the gravity of her actions. Instead, Erin drove home and sat outside on porch, not reporting the accident or attempting to seek help for Elizabeth.

Erin Petroski had been drinking  that evening and had contacted her boyfriend for a ride, acknowledging her incapacity to drive safely. However, in a critical lapse of judgment, her boyfriend placed her back into her own vehicle. The decision cost my daughter her life. Surveillance footage clearly shows the series of events leading up to the tragedy - Erin driving off intoxicated, hitting my daughter, and then fleeing the scene. This is Erin Petroski second DUI.

Justice for Elizabeth requires that Erin Petroski faces the full extent of accountability for her actions on that fateful night. A person who makes a conscious choice to drive under the influence and then fails to provide aid after causing harm should not be released back into our community without facing the consequences of her actions. Granting parole to Erin would send a devastating message to all victims and families affected by similar tragedies across our city.

My daughter, Elizabeth, was a beautiful person who loved life.  Elizabeth was kind, respectful and helped anyone who needed help.  Elizabeth had a beautiful smile, her photos shows it.  Elizabeth loved her nephew and cousins.  A beautiful person that was taking away from us from a drunk driver.  I will never be able to hold my daughter, hug her or hear her voice.  

Drunk driving is an avoidable crime with devastating consequences. It claims the lives of over 10,000 people annually in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Each death is a preventable tragedy, a stark reminder that actions have irreversible impacts.

Erin Petroski's decision to drive drunk did not just take my daughter from me, it robbed Elizabeth of her future, breaking the hearts of everyone who knew and loved her. Elizabeth was a shining light in our community, loved by family, friends, and peers for her kindness, intelligence, and unyielding spirit. Her life was senselessly cut short, and no punishment will ever truly compensate for the loss we feel every day.

However, we seek justice to ensure accountability and deter others from making such perilous choices. Imposing the maximum sentence on Erin Petroski for her actions that night will not bring Elizabeth back, but it will serve as a powerful message against driving under the influence.

We urge the judicial system to consider the full extent of the consequences caused by Petroski's actions and to apply the law to its fullest extent. This isn't just about one family’s grief—it's about community safety, justice, and preventing future tragedies.

The safety of our community, especially in Pittsburgh, is paramount, and it is crucial to uphold the belief that those who cause harm under such reckless circumstances are held responsible. Elizabeth's life was cut short by this reckless behavior, and her absence is felt deeply every day by those who loved her.

Please join me in urging the parole board to deny Erin Petroski's application for parole. By signing this petition, you contribute to a safer community and stand for justice for Elizabeth and other victims of drunk driving. Your support is invaluable, and together, we can make a strong case for accountability and change.