Why We’re Here: Luke Maue
By MADD | February 4, 2013| 9 Comments | Filed in: Drunk Driving , Victim Services , Victim Stories

 Luke at the zoo

Luke Maue was a loving and caring boy with a sweet smile.  He loved basketball, the Power Rangers and Blues Brothers 2000.

On May 18, 2001, seven-year-old Luke visited the St. Louis Zoo on a field trip with his first-grade class.   Luke was excited about the trip and was happy to have his mother, Angie, attend with him. 

As they were leaving the zoo after a fun-filled day, a 20-year-old drunk driver, with a BAC of .22, was driving 64 mph in a 25 mph zone and lost control of his car. His car jumped the curb and struck and killed Luke on the sidewalk as his mother and classmates  watched in horror.

After Luke was killed, Angie called MADD’s Help Line looking for support.  She was introduced to a victim advocate, Angela Leong, who met the family at the funeral home for the visitation and continued to support the family.  “She was there for us whenever we needed her,” says Angie Maue, Luke’s mother.  

Angie also attended support group meetings and other MADD events. Through MADD, the Maue family found a community that helped them through the healing process, and now considers them family.

Angie now spends her time speaking at area high schools, colleges and MADD Victim Impact Panels.  She hopes that sharing Luke’s story might prevent someone else from a senseless tragedy like this.

“I feel that is my gift and what I am supposed to do,” Angie says.  “I witnessed my son's death and now I need to be his voice.  We want to give back to MADD, the organization that is making an effort to do the same.”

The Maues created Luke’s Legacy and host a fundraising event for MADD called “Hope 4 Tomorrow,” a 5K run and 1 mile MADD Dash that is held around Luke’s birthday each year.  This event raises several thousand dollars each year for the MADD Gateway affiliate.


   

Comments

Submitted by reality at 09:07 AM on April 1, 2013
I just seen Angie Maue on the news talking about her son's horrible accident at the zoo, where her son died from being hit by a car, driven by a person high on drugs. She was talking about the guy's sentence in prison and how long he will be there, and the fact that he is not participating in any programs while there. I truly feel her pain and her loss. I am making a post to say I see no positive direction whatsoever by the organization MADD. What would be a realistic number of the people in this country that operate a vehicle under the influence at any given time of day, 2M, or 3M, more, who knows. By getting legislation on tougher laws and penalties for people driving while under the influence takes you to more people being incarcerated, losing there license, ect. We are dealing with a country that uses more drugs recreationally, reguarly, and as an addict than, I believe, than any other place in the world. We have more people incarcerated in jails and prisons than any other place in the world. There is nightclubs, taverns, bars, and the sale of drugs ( alcohol is a drug) everywhere your eyes can see. The only way you are going to bring drug use down, cause you will never get rid of it, is to spend every dime and effort there is, will be to educate human beings from preschool and all the way through there eduacational part of public and private schooling. You will be doing all you can do, along with praying and spiritual psychology, to achieve the will of people not to become users. Where is this post going. You make of it what you will, but if you took every drivers license away, locked up every person for the crimes they commit while using, and you would still have people dying every day from drugs and what they do on drugs. Welcome to America!
Submitted by brody at 09:27 PM on March 20, 2013
i was drunk and drove for miles until i called someone to pick me up, they made me follow them and i crashed and almost killed myself. my respect has been damaged, but i will never trust anyone again unless they say my secret word. ive made a madd vow to myself. i love me.
Submitted by sister angry at 09:25 PM on March 4, 2013
On feb 22.2013 my sister and her boyfriend were hit head on by a 5th time DUI drunk driver. they were both air lifted to two trauma centers in Las Vegas, Both are on life support with critical injuries, And both are in comas. When will this stop? of course the drive walks healthy. no drivers license at the time. This happened in Needle Ca. and no words of it in the papers out there?????? All my family can do is wait. thanks for listening......SISTER ANGRY
Submitted by mother.com at 06:06 PM on February 23, 2013
when i read about lives being lost due to a drunk driver.it saddenes me beacause these people have no regard for the safety of others or the law. THE NAMES AND THE DATE OF DEPARTURE MAYBE DIFFERENT BUT THE PAIN AND THE LOST IS THE SAME.
Submitted by migule at 12:34 PM on February 21, 2013
I'm so sorry for ur lost.Form wat i read he was a go person.my lil brother died from a hit and run.I myself was in an car reck.I have a metal knee
Submitted by Pie at 04:43 PM on February 17, 2013
I am so sorry
Submitted by Sunflower at 04:55 PM on February 11, 2013
I'm so sorry. He is in a better place.
Submitted by dog at 02:27 PM on February 6, 2013
my father was hit by a drunk driver whale biking home from work he was not killed but he did get a small amunt of brain damuge the guy that hit him got away with what he did because he had a stoped loyer it was afule I'm luckly to still have my father peple who drick and drive should be behind bares
Submitted by megie at 12:45 PM on February 6, 2013
sorry for your loss. He is in a better place.

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