Police said a Florida teen was texting her boyfriend when she drove into a tree–killing her instantly.
A year later, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office is using Angelina Holloway’s preventable death to warn others about the dangers of texting and driving. On Tuesday, the department unveiled a safe driving banner including Holloway’s senior photo accompanying her final text on the busy intersection of U.S. 41 and Main Street in Inverness, according to The Citrus Chronicle.
“I can’t wait to see you this weekend!!” a text bubble reads above the words “IT CAN WAIT.”
This simple text to her bf is what killed 19 y.o. Angelina Holloway. She's the face of @SheriffCitrus #JustDriveCitrus campaign. Story @ 6 pic.twitter.com/HkvNNgvZNr
— Crystal Clark Fox 13 (@1crystalclark) December 19, 2017
Holloway, 19, died on April 18, 2016, after finishing a shift at Sonny’s BBQ. The teen reportedly texted her boyfriend that afternoon about their weekend plans before veering into the tree. Holloway’s mother, Marvalene Corlett, explained to The Chronicle that her daughter struck the tree head-on.
“When I found her phone the next day, it was in the rubble in her car under everything,” Corlett told WTVT.
“It was devastating because she knew better.”
Though the annual #JustDriveCitrus campaign typically focuses on DUIs, the police department decided to tackle another growing issue this year. Deputy Michele Tewell noted that more people own cell phones than take a drink of alcohol.
“I want it to hit the heart. I want them to see that it’s a reality, that it does happen,” Deputy Tewell commented. “It took Angelina’s life, but it also impacted her family and all her friends, so it’s not worth it.”
[Featured Image: WRVT video screengrab]
