Our daughter, Kristin, was enroute to pick up her two small children when a vehicle traveling 85 mph pursued by the highway patrol crossed the median strip and crashed head-on into her automobile. She died at the scene. We did what we could to overcome our grief, but nothing really worked until we discovered Candy Priano and PursuitSAFETY on the internet. Candy contacted us almost immediately with e-mails and phone calls. She continues to encourage us, and we try to support PursuitSAFETY endeavors. From time to time we see and hear from Candy Priano. About one and a half years ago PursuitSAFETY sponsored an uplifting conference in St. Louis, and last fall we met Candy to lend support at a police-chase victim's hearing in Independence, Missouri. We will always be thankful for PursuitSAFETY.
my name is Derrick Harper on October 15th 2023 I was victim of a hit and run by a DUI driver at citracado parkway on I-15 California highway crash report states that I was doing 65 I admit I was doing about 80 I was on my Ninja 650 somebody hit me from behind kept on going I hit the asphalt and nobody help nobody I was left for dead in the middle of the interstate luckily I woke up later 4 days later in Palomar medical hospital I was victim of a drunk driver what I do go fund me nobody helps I'm stuck with nothing I lost everything I own I tried crime victims compensation fund they say I don't qualify because I didn't have a job what I'm stuck with nothing in a nursing home luckly I had medical 4 months later I'm here in Stillwater nursing home in El cajon Ca.the accident broke almost all my left ribs one of them got into my spleen I had four blood transfusions and to make matters worse I broke my tibia in so many different places I can't count now I'm left with a titanium rod in my leg I can't walk and still I have nothing all these people getting stuff for free free hotel rooms cuz they got flooded immigrants getting all the stuff for free but me a US citizen born in Newport Beach Hoag hospital one of the nicest hospitals in the world and yet I'm stuck with nothing I can't even get food stamps or general relief they said I don't qualify what gives our government sucks they say they're giving all this stuff to the homeless but for me nothing I didn't have much but I did have some stuff and thanks to a good drunk driver now I'm left with nothing afraid that I'm going to get put out of here with a free ride to the shelter and have a nice day and yet I'm left with nothing thanks to a drunk driver what gives
My father was killed as an innocent bystander on May 26,2010. My father was killed when a decision to ensue a chase for a dark tint violation went deadly wrong. No one knew that the vehicle they were chasing was a 17yr old smuggling illegal aliens (very common in our area). The chase went on for over 10miles through dirt roads, underpasses, one way roads meeting my dad who was in route to his last job of the day. My father never saw this SUV going 90mph that would have ran the intersection of a corner area with overgrown grass. My father was definitely caught blind sided and killed instantly. Our world still shattered, us losing our father, my mom losing her husband, he was a grandpa, great-grandpa and a very hard worker.
It was PursuitSafety who would be picking up that late phone call of a girl crying with really nothing to say. Candy Priano listened and cried with me, shared her story and how she too lost someone special. I was so glad yet sad to find out there was a nonprofit for this reason. How was I so blind? Thank God for her and this non profit who have brought much awareness to these pursuits that happen all around the country.
Much love Candy! Thank you again and keep fighting the fine fight on THE HILL.
My 17 year old son Christopher was killed on November 8, 2007 during a police chase that was extremely violent and out of control. In the weeks following, I felt lost and alone with nowhere to turn. One day while researching police chases, I came upon a website called Pursuit Watch that was filled with information on this issue. It was started by Jim Phillips, whose daughter Sarah had been killed by an individual running from police. I was shocked to learn how many innocent people lose their lives from police pursuits in which they had no role. It was there that I found Candy Priano in December 2007. I wrote to her immediately, and she wrote back within days. Since then, she and the members of Pursuit Safety have helped advise and guide me through the most devastating times of my life since losing my son. This organization is filled with compassionate and loving people, all having suffered either injuries or the loss of a loved one from a pursuit or emergency response call. I truly don't believe I would have gotten this far without them. The support and understanding of this exceptional group of people is unparalleled and so needed. I have learned so much from being a part of Pursuit Safety, and will remain committed to this issue throughout the rest of my life, in the hopes that, although I cannot save my son, I can bring awareness and illumination of the dangers of police pursuits. This is a life saving endeavor for all of us affected by this devastating loss. Cheryl Cooper
My son Brian was killed a year and a half ago by a police officer traveling over 90 miles an hour in a 30mph speed zone for a traffic stop. It makes no sense and I can't sleep a lot and spend days in bed crying about it. On one of my sleepless nights I wrote about my experience on the Pursuit Safety site and it happened to be a week before Candy Priano, the head of PursuitSAFETY, was coming to my town to speak about the Safer Way Award. Candy and her husband Mark stopped by my house to meet me and my husband and daughter. It was so nice to meet such wonderful compassionate people. The hugs we shared were genuine and the meeting in general was uplifting.
When my son was tragically killed at the age of 20, I felt that I had no where to turn for help until I found PursuitSAFETY. The support and care that this organization provides to victims and their families cannot be found anywhere else. The organiztion provides a vehicle through whicm many can turn their grief into action and partner with law envorcement to make our roadways a safet place for all.