On Wednesday, February 15 the New Lebanon Jr/Sr High School hosted a Hang up and Drive” Assembly program. Guest speakers Jacy Good and her husband Steve Johnson founders of Hang Up and Drive presented the horrors of texting and driving to students.
Jacy’s story begins on graduation day 2008. She just received her diploma from Muhlenberg College. About halfway back to her childhood home in Lancaster, PA the car carrying Jacy and her parents was struck head-on by a tractor trailer as both entered an intersection with green lights. The truck had swerved to try to avoid a man coming from the intersecting road who attempted to turn left through a red light. That man was talking on his phone at the time.
Jacy Good speaking to Jr/Sr High School students
Her parents were killed and Jacy was barely alive. She was given a 10% chance to live. Jacy endured nearly 9 hours of surgery and spent over 4 months in the hospital and rehab center. All resulting from a distracted driver on his cell phone.
Jacy spoke of the struggles to regain her ability to walk, to talk, to dress herself, and even how to drive once again. Students sat silently as she shared her painful recovery from her injuries. Throughout the presentation Jacy stressed the importance of life. “Is your life more important than that text”, she asked. “Is that phone more important than your life?”
Jacy and her college sweetheart Steve married in 2013 and travel the country telling their story.
The school was advised of this free program through Columbia County Stop DWI and the Sheriff’s office. For more information on Jacy and her campaign against distracted driving visit her website www.hangupanddrive.com