Meet Matty

Many loved ones inspire the mission of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25. Meet Matty Waldrup, one such source of inspiration.

On March 18, 2012, 7 year-old Matty was riding his bike across the street to play with friends, just like kids have been doing in neighborhoods for generations. At that moment his friends' older brother pulled out of his driveway and in a frenzy was up to 50 miles an hour within just a few houses on Matty's 25 mph posted street. He struck Matty, who died instantly. 

Shortly after his death, Mandy, Matty's mother, called to ask how they could honor him by initiating Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 in their Avon Park, FL neighborhood. This past Spring, Highlands Today shared Matty's story, Signs of Life, highlighting his family's efforts to keep all kids safe on and around neighborhood streets.

These past two years, we have been privileged to partner with Matty's family, even having the opportunity to share lunch together during a visit in June of 2013. He is one of the loved ones who inspires our "Run to Remember" team each August when we head up Pikes Peak in honor of all loved ones who have died in traffic incidents. 

Matty's smile, the energy and enthusiasm that only a 7 year-old can muster - as displayed in his photo above - inspires our mission each day - to create safer neighborhood streets for all who ride, walk, play, and drive. May Matty serve as an inspiration and reminder to you to make driving the most important task you attend to behind the wheel each and every day. Put aside all other distractions. The ones you love, just as Matty is loved, are all the reasons needed to Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 and to observe all the rules of the road wherever you travel.

Matty's "Sign of Life" sends a message to 

motorists on the street where he lived.