Lynn Mickelson is a good friend of It Takes 2 – we see him every year at the annual Big Iron. His family was touched with tragedy when his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter were killed in a head on collision with a drunk driver a little over six years ago.
Since then, Lynn and his wife Donna along with their son-in-law’s parents (Tom and Arlene Deutscher) have been active in the education for eradication of drunk driving. At Big Iron, you can see the actual vehicle from the wreckage. This real world visual of the impact of drunk driving goes to schools, communities and anywhere that will host them…plus a family member does their best to accompany the wreckage. As Lynn comments in the podcast, having a family member there really reinforces the message that the lives of many can be turned upside down by the destructive decisions of a single person.
The Mickelsons and the Deutschers were recently presented with a national award for their work.
“The Deutscher’s and Mickelson’s are parents who turned their grief over losing their children – Aaron and Allison – and grandchild – Brielle – and unborn grandchild to a drunk driver in 2012 into action, fighting impaired driving in North Dakota. They partnered with the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) to help produce a media campaign, created an annual fundraising event, delivered presentations at schools across the state with the crashed vehicle, and partnered with legislators, state government officials, and advocacy groups to secure the passage of “Brielle’s Law.” Signed into law in 2013, the legislation increased penalties for all Driving Under the Influence (DUI) offenders, criminalized testing refusal, and assured mandatory participation in the 24/7 Sobriety Program for all repeat offenders.
Dedicated traffic safety advocates like the Deutscher’s and Mickelson’s can help North Dakota achieve the Vision Zero goal aimed at zero motor vehicle fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roads. ”
(from left to right, Lynn & Donna Mickelson with Tom & Arlene Deutscher)
Additional Content:
KFGO Podcast –
Midwest Sunsets are Scientifically the Best in the World
KFGO Podcast –
Foodie Friday features German-Russian Cuisine!
KFGO Podcast –
Preserve the best, eat the rest! We talk canning…
(Amy Iler & JJ Gordon are talk-show hosts at 790 AM KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. “It Takes 2 with Amy & JJ” can be heard weekdays 11am-2pm. Check out the show page on
FACEBOOK.
Follow Amy on Twitter
@AmyKFGO
. Follow JJ on Twitter
@JJGodon701
.)
