Candice Kirkbride was 15 on March 11, 2001, when her life was changed forever by an impaired driver.
She was walking down Deschene Road in Val Therese with a group of teens after leaving a large house party. As the group made its way down the street, a car driven by Mitchell McHugh, then 19, ploughed into them.
Kirkbride's boyfriend, A.J. Chaput, 15, was killed. Kirkbride suffered serious injuries, including a brain injury, visual impairment and fractures.
The driver of the car later pleaded guilty to careless driving and consuming alcohol while driving with a G2 class licence.
Now almost 32, Kirkbride has become a familiar figure at local anti drinking and driving events. She shared her story with another group of teens Thursday at Action Sudbury's annual Chain of Life event.
Grade 12 students from Collège Notre Dame, École Secondaire Sacre Coeur, Marymount Academy and Confederation Secondary School listened to guest speakers and watched videos on the pitfalls of impaired as well as distracted driving.
They then lined up on Notre Dame Avenue with linked arms to symbolize their commitment to safe driving.
Kirkbride said she usually becomes emotional during the Chain of Life, as it's nice to see the community come together to support a common goal.
She said she told the teens that they can still celebrate and have fun, but to make smart choices around drugs and alcohol, and always make sure they have a safe way to get home.
“I think this is a good age to get them at,” she said.
Marymount teacher Tracey Adams, one of the event's organizers, said beyond drinking and driving, Chain of Life is also focused this year on distracted driving and driving while high.
“With the new legislation with marijuana being legalized we decided to highlight the fact that driving high is driving impaired,” she said. “We also wanted to highlight the fact that texting and driving is also just as dangerous.”
Grade 12 Marymount student Sylkin Kosmerly, a novice G1 driver herself, said she thinks the presentations during the Chain of Life event were “very impactful.”
In fact, she said some of the information almost makes her afraid to get behind the wheel of a car. “It kind of grounds the situation and makes it seem more real,” she said.
