Mothers Against Drunk Driving RI will hold its annual Walk Like MADD event to raise awareness and funds to eliminate drunk and drugged driving in Rhode Island On Saturday, May 20. The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. at Colt State Park, Bristol in honor of Tori Lynn Andreozzi and all Rhode Island’s victims of impaired driving.

Tori Lynn Andreozzi passed away on November 1, 2022, after a 19-year battle for survival. On March 26, 2003, at age 12, Tori was struck by a hit and run impaired driver walking home from her school bus stop. Tori’s mother, Cathy Andreozzi, has worked tirelessly to educate drivers on the risks of impairment over the past two decades, she shares Tori’s legacy by asking others to “pay it forward.”

Pay It Forward was Tori’s favorite movie, and she fully embraced this message by offering extraordinary random acts of kindness, especially for a child of her age. Cathy continues her commitment to education throughout the state by leading town hall-style panel discussions called The Ripple Effect: A Community Conversation aimed to provide an open and honest dialogue about the epidemic of impaired driving. These open meetings include members of the healthcare community, law enforcement, prevention, and traffic safety professionals. Cathy’s message has been consistent, “Recognize that there is a choice in every moment, find the courage to make a difference, and sustain hope for the future.”

“Our goal is that there will be no more victims; no families should suffer the loss or injury of a loved one due to this preventable crime,” said Wesley Pennington, MADD RI’s State Program Director, “Here in the Ocean State the percentage of victims who lose their lives to impaired driving is far above the national average. We need to work together to make it known that impaired driving is unacceptable, and actively prevent these tragedies.”

Those interested in participating in this year’s Walk Like MADD event or make a donation can visit www.walklikemadd.org/rhodeisland . Funds generated by this event are allocated to victim services and prevention programs that support MADD’s mission.