Ryder Trauma Center Partners with Organizations in Hopes of Preventing Tragedy on the Roads this Holiday Season

Who:

Rosie Cardenas, mother of Andrew Gonzalez, killed by a drunk driver in 2009
Dr. Nicholas Namias, medical director of Ryder Trauma Center
Helen Witty, national president, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Joe Sanchez, spokesman, Florida Highway Patrol

What:

On December 19, 2009, 19-year-old Andrew Gonzalez was out with friends when they were involved in a car crash. Andrew was seated in the backseat behind the driver, when a drunk driver T-boned their vehicle. Andrew was killed on impact; five others were rushed to Ryder Trauma Center and survived.

“As the countdown begins to Christmas, my mood becomes a little more somber. I used to love Christmas: the decorations, the family gatherings, but most of all I loved buying presents for my boys,” said Rosie Cardenas, Andrew’s mother. “Today, I dread the holidays; the memories of that horrible night haunt me.”

Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital is partnering with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) to raise awareness about drunk and drugged driving in hopes of preventing another tragedy on the roads this holiday season. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety, 29 people in the United States die every day in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. This amounts to one death every 50 minutes.

This holiday season, MADD is asking drivers to display a red ribbon in a visible location in their vehicle to remind others to always designate a non-drinking driver.
On Wednesday, December 19, at 10 a.m., on the 9th anniversary of Andrew’s death, his mother, Rosie Cardenas, will join UHealth trauma surgeons and representatives from MADD, and Florida Highway Patrol to encourage people to avoid drinking and driving during the holidays.

When:

10 a.m., Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Where:

Jackson Memorial Hospital
Alamo Park
1611 N.W. 12th Avenue
Miami, FL 33136

Editor’s Note:

Media can park in Park Plaza West Garage (Green Garage)

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Jackson Health System
1611 N.W. 12th Avenue Miami, FL 33136