TENNESSEE HIGHWAY SAFETY OFFICE REMINDS CITIZENS THAT “FANS DON’T LET FANS DRIVE DRUNK”
Guest Speakers included The 24/7 Movement and Dillard family who Inspired Dillard’s Law in 2023.
On Friday, February 9, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) and the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), divisions of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, partnered with the Tennessee Titans, the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association, the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police, and other traffic safety partners for a press event to remind citizens that “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk” ahead of Super Bowl weekend. This year, guest speakers included The 24/7 Movement non-profit organization and Dillard family who inspired the creation of Dillard’s Law in 2023.
In 2022, Brittany and Dustin Dillard, both 33 years old, were fatal victims of a drunk-driving crash in Bradley County on Christmas night. Their three sons Pryor, Pierce, and Preston survived the crash with critical injuries. In honor of Dustin and Brittany, Dustin’s younger brother Tanner and their father Matt worked with family-friend Randy Bonner to form a non-profit organization called The 24/7 Movement, named after the ages of Pryor, Pierce, and Preston who were two, four, and seven when the crash occurred. State Senator Adam Lowe was inspired by their story and initiated the legislation for Dillard’s Law, which passed in 2023.
“We are grateful to Senator Adam Lowe for championing Dillard’s Law,” said Randy Bonner, Executive Director for The 24/7 Movement. “Our hope is to prevent other families from experiencing the loss of a loved one due to a drunk driver. Dustin loved his family and found immense joy in spending quality time with his sons. Brittany had an unwavering passion for teaching that endeared herself to countless students. She was a 9th grade teacher at Walker Valley High School who was loved by her students, peers, and administration.”
Dillard’s Law allows the surviving parent/guardian of a child whose parent was a victim of vehicular homicide to convert a restitution order for child maintenance payments to a civil judgment at any time rather than following the conclusion of the defendant’s sentence. In other words, at any time during or after a defendant’s sentence, if his/her earnings or assets change, then they will be responsible for reimbursing victims for any financial losses due to the offender’s crime until the child reaches 18 years of age.
“The THSO and our partners stand in solidarity with the Dillard family,” said Buddy Lewis, Director of the THSO. “Since this tragic event, the THSO and THP have partnered with The 24/7 Movement and more than 20 local agencies for a memorial sobriety checkpoint in Bradley County to crack down on drunk drivers and ensure children are properly restrained. On December 15, 2023, law enforcement checked 412 vehicles, detained 14 vehicles, and issued citations for numerous violations. Bradley County Sheriff’s Office made a drunk-driving arrest. We will continue this partnership to help save lives.”
During Super Bowl weekend, Tennesseans are reminded that “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.” Always find a sober ride home. If you choose to drink and drive, you could lose your license, your freedom, your life, or the life of someone else. For more information, please contact Arriale Tabson at Arriale.Tabson@tn.gov.
