Instead, it was the beginning of a campaign to protect victims of drunk driving crashes.

In November 2017, Amanda Petrylak, a State Farm^® employee in the Charlottesville, Va., Operations Center, was headed home with her 8-year-old daughter, Claire.

Driving down the road that leads to their subdivision, she watched as the truck in front of her swerved to the right.

Before she could react, a car coming toward her in the wrong lane slammed into her car head on.

Amanda had multiple injuries, and Claire spent 10 weeks in a head and neck brace that restricted mobility.

Ironically, the decision not to insert a rod and fuse the breaks in her daughter’s neck changed the charge for the intoxicated driver who hit them from a felony to a misdemeanor.

“We learned the way the law was written has not kept up with medical advances,” Amanda says. “In Virginia, in order for a DUI accident to be a felony, the victim has to suffer permanent damage.”

Today Amanda and Claire have healed physically.

“Claire is doing the stuff she loved to do before,” her mom says. “But sometimes things that remind her of the crash trigger her emotions.”

Amanda and her husband, John, have struggled, too. Working with their local delegate, they attended hours upon hours of hearings, petitioning for the law to be changed so a victim of a crash caused by an intoxicated driver does not have to suffer permanent damage for the charge to be a felony.

They testified before the House of Delegates’ Courts of Justice subcommittee, Senate Courts of Justice Full Committee and the Senate Finance committee.

Their efforts paid off. On Feb. 23, the Virginia General Assembly passed HB1941, making it a felony to drive drunk and seriously injure an innocent person.

“We’re still in shock, but so happy this is now a reality,” Amanda says. “Our goal was to keep other victims from going through what we’re experiencing. We are so thankful to the General Assembly for listening to us and helping protect other victims of drunk drivers.”

It’s 2:30 a.m., and the doorbell rings. Lori Stutts answers the door, knowing deep down it can’t be good news.

The deputy coroner is at the door. She tells Lori the worst news imaginable. Her son, Zach Maurer, 22, had died.

She tells her it was a single vehicle crash that happened late the night before. Airlifted to the local hospital, they tried everything, but they couldn’t save Zach.

September 20, 2005, is a day Lori will never forget.

Facts: Zach’s blood alcohol level was .165, close to three times over the legal limit in Colorado, which is .06. He was not wearing his seat belt. He was traveling between 75-85 MPH, entering a curve with a speed limit of 30 MPH.

“When something bad happens you have choices—let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you; be a victim or a victor,” she shares.

Lori chose the latter—be a victor and let the tragic loss of her only child strengthen her.

“After Zach's death, it would have been easy to just lay down and give up. But soon after the crash, I knew I had to live and share the story with the goal of telling others to think about the choices they make before getting behind the wheel," Lori explained.

She reached out to a local safety coalition, Drive Smart Weld County, which is supported by State Farm, to get involved in their teen driver safety program. Since 2006, Lori has served as one of the program’s most impactful volunteer speakers.

She chose to share her experience to teach others. She speaks to local teenagers about their choices before getting behind the wheel.

Lori uses her platform to tell teen audiences, “You are special and loved, you matter to this world; AND your choices affect everyone around you.”

Lori donated Zach’s car to the safety coalition. It was mounted onto a trailer with a storyboard. Over the years, she has traveled to schools throughout Weld County (3,900 square miles). At times, towing his car, to tell the story to students, teachers and parents.

Lori’s survival strength is evident in the delivery of her message. Students sit silently, listening and viewing pictures of Zach before the crash, news clips and the car after the crash.

Afterward, as students file out of the room, many stop to give her comforting hugs.  Lori will never know how many lives she has saved or changed because of her son’s story. However, if just one teen’s mind was changed, she knows the years of sharing her message of love, strength and choices, was worth it.

He was That Guy whose life was envied by many.

Unfortunately, Matt is now That Guy who killed a father of six in a drunk driving crash.

The Accident

On March 1, 2009, a few months after joining the Philadelphia Kixx, Matt sustained a career-ending knee injury. A week later, feeling discouraged about his situation. Matt went out drinking with a friend. On his way home, Matt was speeding down the Atlantic City Expressway and crashed into the vehicle of Hort Kap, killing him instantly.

Matt didn’t receive the news he killed Kap until he was in police custody. As he sat in the holding cell, contemplating the consequences of a DUI charge, he overheard the dispatcher describing Kap as “deceased.” In an instant, Matt’s world came crashing down.

“I couldn’t comprehend the weight and I had a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach trying to understand the full magnitude of the word ‘deceased’– and that my actions caused it,” described Matt. “It was total mind confusion.”

As Matt was awaiting his sentencing, the Bible Club counselor at Middle Township High School approached Matt’s mother. He asked if Matt would be interested in speaking with students at the school.

“My mom left the decision up to me and I told her after much thought and prayer that I always stood up during all the good in my life; and that I should stand up now during the bad and take ownership of my bad decision,” says Matt.

Prior to sentencing, Matt partnered with the South Jersey Traffic Safety Alliance (SJTSA) and was able to make 34 “I’m That Guy” presentations to more than 7,000 students in high schools and colleges throughout South Jersey. His goal was to spare someone else from following in his footsteps, and the process was cathartic.

Matt was charged with aggravated manslaughter and sentenced to five years, five months in prison.

“I never thought I’d be in an ugly environment like prison, but instead of fighting my circumstances, I decided to accept them and become intentional in making the best of them,” explains Matt.

While in prison, Matt focused on positive activities and encouraged others to do the same. He started a Bible study group, tutored fellow inmates in English, and wrote 15 books. He also kept a daily blog to chronicle his life in prison.

Taking Advantage of Second Chances

Matt was released from prison on August 3, 2014. He quickly partnered with SJTSA again who, through the support of a State Farm grant, committed to hosting a series of presentations to high school and college students throughout New Jersey and neighboring states. Matt was the keynote speaker.

Matt’s first presentation since his release was to Cumberland County College, where students were gripped by Matt’s raw and honest story. He doesn’t sugar-coat his actions, feelings, or the crash, and humbly requests young people do not follow in his footsteps.

“The variety of ways the kids connect with Matt is powerful and continues to be evident through the following of his website and the blog he wrote from prison,” says SJTSA Program Manager Teresa Thomas.

In addition to sharing his message with thousands of students, Matt has other plans for his future. With the help of his mother, Matt created the Be Still Foundation. His foundation advocates responsible decision-making, the prevention of risky behavior, and provides strategies for overcoming adversity.