Tuesday, May 21, 2013

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First-ever MADD walk in Valley comes to Brownsville
Posted: 01.30.2012 at 11:15 PM
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The families of a Brownsville couple killed by a drunk driver will organize the first walk in the Rio Grande Valley in benefit of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

“All the family are victims,” Rosa Maria Carreon said. “They left and we stayed behind suffering.”

Carreon’s son, Jorge was one of three people killed in the crash on March 6, 2006.

In addition to Jorge, his wife Cynthia, a Customs and Border Protection officer, and their friend Mario Gonzalez, a Border Patrol agent, lost their lives in the crash.

"It’s an emotional roller coaster,” Cynthia’s sister, Aida Hernandez said. “Our lives will never be the same."

The couple was traveling along with Gonzalez near the intersection of Dana Avenue and Ruben Torres Boulevard when a drunk driver ran a red light and crashed their car.

The impact forced them into the murky waters of a nearby ditch, the site where three crosses now stand as a reminder of the accident.

"It is so hard to lose a son like that,” Carreon said. “ We miss and need him so much.”

The drunk driver, Jorge Arellano, is currently serving four life sentences for intoxicated manslaughter.

But the families are looking beyond the deaths of their loved ones, to celebrate their lives instead.

"I just feel why not have something here, and have something for the victims here and for the families," Hernandez explained.

In years past, Cynthia and Jorge's families would travel to San Antonio to participate in the Mothers Against Drunk Drivers walk.

But for the first time this year, the walk will take place in Brownsville. The families say they have one goal in mind.

"It happens to often,” Hernandez said. “Every other weekend you hear about somebody being killed by a drunk driver, so just to raise awareness."

For Jorge’s mother the message is a matter of live or death.

"Don’t drink before thinking about the consequences,” Carreon pleaded.

"You never know when it can affect your family or somebody else that doesn't need to be going through something like this," Hernandez concluded.

The walk will take place on Saturday, March 10 at the Brownsville Sports Park.

To register a team, sing up as a walker or to make a donation visit the MADD website.

Organizers are also looking for sponsors for the event. The proceeds will benefit Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, the victims and families of drunk drivers.

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