MADD member shares story of loss to save lives

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Independence day is a time to celebrate with friends and family, but if you choose to celebrate with alcohol, make sure you are drinking responsibly.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 34 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes every day.

In 2023, 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths according to their data.

Prisca Patrick, is a Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) National Ambassador from Texas, and said she spends her time sharing her brother's story.

"My older brother John Michael Patrick Jr. was killed by a drunk driver in 2007," said Patrick. "The drunk driver hit my brother and his girlfriend. He (the drunk driver) was three times over the legal limit and already had 3 previous DUI's."

Patrick hopes by sharing her brother's story, she can educate others on the dangers of driving impaired.

According to MADD, in 2023, drunk driving caused 233 deaths, or 38% of all traffic fatalities, during the 4th of July holiday period.

Their data shows that Texas saw a 27% increase in drunk driving related deaths from 2019 to 2023.

"It takes one minute to plan a safe ride home," said Patrick.

From rideshares to public transportation, there are always options to get home safely. But even with that, Patrick said preventable deaths are still happening.

"After all these years, impaired driving crashes are increasing," said Patrick. "While we think about celebrations and having a good time we also think about being safe on the road."

According to the NHTSA, alcohol also remains the leading contributing factor in fatal boating crashes, accounting for 79 deaths, or 17% of all boating fatalities, in 2023.