Road traffic victims honored in New Haven ceremony

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Sunday afternoon dozens got together in New Haven to share their personal stories and push for change.

Sunday was the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. This year's theme was "traffic deaths and serious injuries are preventable."

"Luke's location was stationary in a nearby intersection," said Carri Roux, mother of Luke Roux.

A mother's intuition turned to any parent's worst nightmare.

"I got in my car and drove to the intersection, unaware that this pit would soon explode and shatter my heart and leave a permanent hole in my soul," said Roux.

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June 25, 2022, Luke Roux was killed when an impaired driver ran a red light. The 17-year-old had just graduated from Farmington High School days prior.

Carrie Roux mentioned that while her son was playing baseball, his killer was being denied entry at a concert for being too intoxicated.

"This man sped down a local road at 80 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour zone. Approaching an intersection, he ignored a traffic light that had been red for 18 seconds at the same time my son was making a lefthand turn to come home," Roux said.

Carri said her son's death was preventable, like the 342 people killed on Connecticut roads since the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims last November. Each were represented by a flag: 270 white ones for people killed in a vehicle or motorcycle and 72 red flags represented the lives lost while riding a bicycle or walking.

Watch For Me CT calls it a public health crisis.

"If we invest in complete street policies, safer vehicles and other mobility options and a wide array of people first policies. We can succeed in preventing road way deaths," said Watch For Me CT's Amy Watkins.

Mothers who share the same immeasurable pain agree and said the state needs to take a more proactive approach to save hundreds of lives.

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"Businesses must reevaluate how they approach events, taking responsibility to ensure their practices don't enable this reckless behavior. Our judicial system needs to be stricter with offenders. The consequences should request the devastating impact of impaired driving that it can have on lives, families and communities. Finally technology needs to continue to advance to ensure cars cannot be operated if a driver is not fit," Roux said.

"Let's work together to raise awareness and advocate for more stringent laws that will surely prevent many of these tragedies in the future," said Sherry Chapman who's son died in a car crash in 2002.

Senator Richard Blumenthal was also at the event and spoke about the Safe Streets and Roads For All federal grant program. He said it has funded a billion dollars in road safety nationally over the last year and hopes it will continue to grow in 2025.