19-year-old Angelina Holloway was like anyone else her age – but with a kind and generous heart.
She went above and beyond to help people. She worked with children in her church for example.
She also studied psychology and wanted to work in education or health care.
Angelina had a new job and a new boyfriend. She was looking forward to a trip to Uganda, and she just received her visa.
She wanted to adopt a child one day. She wanted to travel the world.
But all this – all the dreams and plans for the future – were taken from her.
Angelina Holloway, 19, died in a horrific car accident after she veered off the road in Floral City, Florida.
Angelina was on her way home from work when she lost control of the car and crashed into a tree.
The collision was so strong that Angelina died on the spot.
“She called earlier and said she was working a double shift”, said Marvelyn Corlett, Angelina’s mother. “I said, ‘Okay, be careful. I love you,’ and she said, ‘I love you too'”.
Angelina left work at 14:00, and started driving home. Angelina’s last sign of life came 11 minutes later, when she sent a text message to her boyfriend.
In the last communication that Angelina made in her life it was written: “I can’t wait to see you at the weekend”.
According to the police, Angelina was driving too fast and was distracted. The fatal combination cost her her life.
“When I found her phone the next day, it was in the wreckage of the car under everything”, Marvelyn said. “It broke us because she knew better than that”.
But the hope is that Angelina did not die in vain.
Now, her death is at the heart of an anti-texting campaign that shows the dangers of texting while driving.
One year after her daughter’s death, her mother Marvelyn is informing and warning others about the dangers of texting while driving, even the local police are taking part in the campaign.
“I want it to enter people’s hearts. I want them to see that this is a reality, that it does happen. It took Angelina’s life, but it also affected her family and all her friends, so it’s not worth it”,
said police officer Michelle Towell, who helped set up the campaign.
Now Angelina Holloway’s face, along with the last text message she sent, is appearing on giant signs along major Florida highways to warn drivers.
According to the US Department of Transportation, 3,477 people died as a result of texting while driving in 2015.
“Sending or reading text messages while driving takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At a speed of 80 km/h, it’s like driving the distance of a football field with your eyes closed. You cannot drive
safely if you are focused on other things besides driving itself”, the Ministry of Transportation wrote.
Angelina had to pay with her life and she is certainly not the only person whose life ended prematurely because of texting while driving. Please help share this warning.
As long as we continue to lose our dear and loved ones on the road, we must make a difference and help such information get out.
Driving and texting on the cellphone do not go together. Spread Angelina’s story if you agree!
