COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. -- It was June 11, 1992. A day Jillian Allen’s life changed forever.
“It just makes me sad to think about all the of the things she didn’t get to experience with me," Allen said. "She was riding her bicycle in Colonial Heights and a drunk driver hit her and killed her and fled the scene.”
Allen’s mother was be hit and killed along a stretch of Conduit Road near Colonial Heights High School that day.
“Every holiday, every birthday, every year, it’s still just a constant reminder of what’s not there because of someone's decision to drink and get behind the wheel," Allen said.
Allen said she was three years old when the incident happened, leaving an empty place in her heart for the last 28 years.
"It’s heartbreaking especially with a daughter that’s five years old. I could not imagine being in her life these last two years," Allen said.
Now she’s hoping her story can prevent other drunk drivers from hitting the road, as the New Year rings in.
“If this prevents one person from getting behind the wheel after drinking and possibly save someone else's life, it's worth it," Allen said.
"This is 100% preventable situation," Sgt. Renee Walters with Colonial Heights Police said.
Walters said they’re one of dozens of agencies, working to keep drunk drivers off the road and encourages drinkers to get a designated driver or ride share.
"We hope people take advantage of it but it’s important every day because even one life lost is too many for a situation like this," Sgt. Walters said.
In the meantime, Allen said she’s continuing to carry on her mother’s legacy, this year with a generation picture with her daughter grandma and mother.
“The last picture that I took with my mom was when I was three. I have not had a picture since then," Allen said. "Just seeing all of us together, especially my daughter with my mom... it's just very sentimental to me and it means a lot and I know it will be a gift that we cherish forever.”
