Why We’re Here: Rhett Perryman and Skyler Johnson
By MADD | April 4, 2013 | Filed in: Victim Stories

Rhett Perryman

On May 25, 2002, Elesha Cruey’s husband, Rhett, and seven-year-old son, Skyler made a quick trip to the Ranger’s Ballpark to pick up tickets.  Elesha stayed home preparing dinner for the family.  The stadium wasn’t far, so she expected them back home within a short period of time.

Elesha’s parents were in town visiting from South Dakota.  Her mom was watching the evening news when the story about horrific crash on the freeway came on…she recognized one of the cars that was on fire.  After calling Rhett's cell phone several times with no answer and calling all of the hospitals looking for them with no luck, Elesha and her dad decided to drive to the crash scene.  They were desperate to see if their family members were alright.  When they arrived at the fiery crash site, their worst thoughts came true. They were told by the medical examiner that both Rhett and Skyler had been killed. 

Skyler Johnson

That day, a drunk driver traveling the wrong way on the highway hit 11 cars, killing four people—including Rhett and Skylerand badly injuring several others.  The drunk driver also died in the crash.

The day after Rhett and Skyler died, Elesha found out she was pregnant.  During the first year after the crash, the baby gave her a reason to keep going, and made her feel like she still had a piece of them with her.

Elesha was contacted by a local MADD victim advocate who helped her in many ways, including getting crime victims compensation.  At the time she wasn’t working and with the news of the pregnancy and two other daughters to care for, it was a lifesaver.

On the 10 year anniversary of the crash, Elesha, and her three daughters, Bethany, Kaylee and SaVanna, visited the crash site for the first time.  They placed their handmade crosses on the road in memory of Rhett and Skyler.

For many years after the crash, Elesha had always wanted to be a part of MADD, but didn’t feel ready.  After that day, she felt that it was time to reach out.  “It wasn’t about my story anymore. It was about someone else’s, and I wanted to help people like MADD helped me.” She felt a new passion to reach out to others that had lost a loved one as she had.

Elesha recently completed MADD’s Victim Assistance Training Institute and connected with MADD North Texas to start volunteering as a Victim Advocate and Victim Speaker.  She also started a support group named "In Our Hearts" for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one in her area.  Through her journey, Elesha has learned that no matter how horrific a situation looks at the time, there is always hope and a new day.

Elesha remarried in August of 2011. Her husband had two children, so together they have five. His son was seven years old when they married, the same age Skyler was when he died.  Elesha says, “I feel like God gave me another little boy to enjoy in this life.”

Why We’re Here: Helene Zucker Seeman
By MADD | March 5, 2013 | Filed in: Victim Stories

On June 27, 2010, Fred Seeman and Helene Zucker Seeman were heading home after dinner at a friend’s house—a 10 minute drive.  As they were turning into their driveway, a drunk driver with a BAC nearly three times the legal limit and driving 20 miles per hour over the speed limit on a dark two-lane road, crashed into the Seemans’ vehicle.  Helene, who was sitting in the passenger seat where the car struck, was pronounced dead at the scene. Fred was transported in a Medevac helicopter to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.

Helene left behind two sons—Ford, and Curtis who were 23 and 17 respectively at the time of the crash.

Helene was an enthusiastic and bright person. She was always smiling and lived life to the fullest.  She was a distinguished art curator in New York, working as the director of the Art Acquisition Program for the Prudential Life Insurance Company. She also worked as an adjunct professor at New York University’s School of Continuing Education.

Helene was active in and loved by those in her community. On September 11th, 2001, Helene was living in Battery Park City and active participated in the relief effort cleaning up her neighborhood. 

Her son Ford shared a story in her eulogy of his experience telling an employee at the local rental car company Helene used occasionally:

“Not knowing who the woman was behind the desk, I introduced myself and told her I was sorry to inform her of my mother’s passing. The reaction of this woman, this woman who to me meant nothing, started crying uncontrollably. This was the effect my mother had. She was a pure soul who had the social graces of any of history's greatest queens. She was a queen, she was my queen, and my light and my love.”

The Brooklyn Museum has established the Helene Zucker Seeman Memorial Exhibition Fund to support a variety of exhibitions by a recognized or emerging woman artist that will be presented at the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art.

Why We’re Here: Luke Maue
By MADD | February 4, 2013 | 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.

Why We're Here: Brian Wood
By MADD | January 9, 2013 | Filed in: Drugged Driving , Victim Stories

On September 3, 2010, Brian Wood was traveling with his wife Erin, who was 7 months pregnant with their first child, to Whidbey Island, Washington.  Brian saw a car heading towards them at about 50 mph in their lane.   Knowing that his car would be struck head on and wanting to protect his pregnant wife and unborn baby, Brian turned his car to the right so that he would take the brunt of the impact.  His action saved Erin and their child, but Brian did not survive the crash. Two passengers of the other vehicle were also killed.

Investigators at the scene found heroin, marijuana, syringes and other drug paraphernalia in the driver’s vehicle, and the driver admitted to smoking marijuana earlier that day.  She was charged with causing three deaths and injuries while driving in a reckless manner under the influence of drugs.

Brian’s father Ed Wood began his quest to promote effective laws to reduce drugged driving after hearing the offender’s defense attorney state that “it is not unlawful to drive with illegal drugs in your body.”  Ed has worked with experts at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Governors Highway Safety Association, MADD and countless other groups as well as individual experts and consultants to become a recognized leader in promoting effective drug per se laws.  Ed also directs www.deceptionpass3.com, a network of drugged driving victims who join him in the effort to enact effective drugged driving legislation.

In recognition of his efforts, the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy has recognized Ed as an Advocate for Action. 

Why Were Here: Elaina Luquis-Ortiz
By MADD | December 27, 2012 | Filed in: Victim Stories

Early morning on New Year’s Day in 2010, 21-year-old Elaina Luquis-Ortiz received a call from a friend who got a flat tire on the interstate.   Elaina was in the process of selling the car to her friend, and since the insurance policy was still in her name, she thought it would be best if she met up with them to see if she could help.

The three were sitting in Elaina’s car on the shoulder of the freeway, waiting for the tow truck to arrive, when a drunk driver with a BAC more than three times the legal limit crashed into them.  Elaina died at the scene and her two friends were transported to the hospital with major injuries.  

Elaina was six months pregnant with her first child, Romeo.  He also did not survive.

Elaina was so excited to become a mom. She had proudly posted ultrasound photos of Romeo on her MySpace page.  But instead of a baby shower, Elaina’s family had to plan her funeral.

This holiday season, we remember Elaina, Romeo, and the thousands of others who are killed and injured every year by this 100% preventable crime.

We have our sites set high for 2013, and plan to make great progress with the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving®, but we need your help to succeed.   You can help save lives and serve victims in 2013 with your holiday gift to MADD today.