Memorial tree honors distracted driving victims

A Central Coast woman is remembering lives lost to distracted driving this holiday season with a special tribute to more than 200 people at her Marina Home.

That person is her nephew and godson Tyler. He died two years ago while driving distracted.

Now she’s made it her purpose to encourage others to learn from his story and remember all those not with their families this holiday season.

In her yard decked out for the holidays sits a tree with hundreds of angels hanging on each of its branches.

Each represents a life that was taken too soon.

Joanne Higgins is behind the display says it all started when she lost her nephew to distracted driving two years ago.

“He was less than a mile from his house and decided to take his cell phone out and he started to do a video selfie not paying attention to the road,” Higgins said, “He crashed into a light post. He was killed instantly on impact.”

Since then, Joanne has spent her time spreading awareness of the dangers of distracted driving.

“Because of Tyler’s death, which opened my eyes to this growing problem that is so 100 percent preventable that I need to do something,” Higgins said, “I just can’t sit and not do anything so this is one reason why I started doing the Distracted Driving Memorial Tree.”

Some of the angels on the tree are also victims of drunk driving and while police say that’s always an issue, distracted driving has become just as serious of a problem.

“When you’re dealing with distracted driving you’re dealing with human behavior and you can pass a lot of law but how do you legislate human behavior, it’s very difficult,” said Commander Bob Nolan with the Marina Police Department.

That’s why Joanne hopes the memories of each angel on the tree serves as reminders each time we get behind the wheel on our phones.

“It can wait, just put it in your glove compartment, put it in your trunk, put it in your purse,” Higgins said, “No call, no text, no selfie, no video chat, none of this stuff that’s going on today is worth your life or putting your parents and your family through hell.”

Joanne’s memorial tree has inspired others around the country, one is planned in Virginia and Arizona and there could be more.

She’s also hoping to set up a scholarship in Tyler’s name.