By Shannon Connolly
Staff Writer
CARLINVILLE — Seat belts save lives.
That’s the message the family of 16-year-old Brooklyn Hope Armstrong are sharing after her death in an accident in which she was not buckled up.
Brooklyn was killed on the morningof Dec. 29, 2013, after she was ejected from a truck in which she was a passenger, according to news reports of the accident in the State Journal-Register. The Carlinville High School cheerleader and multi-sport athlete was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash occurred on Interstate 74 near Peoria with icy conditions creating treacherous driving conditions, according to news reports.
The family hopes her story and a fundraiser in Carlinville on Sept. 20 will fuel a “Buckle-Up-for-Brooklyn” campaign to raises awareness about seat belt safety.
More than 300 people came to the fundraiser to show their support for Brooklyn’s family. The event started at 5 p.m. with chicken, pork chops, green beans and mashed potatoes. A prayer and guest speakers began two hours later.
Brooklyn’s stepfather, Andy Ott, spoke first, thanking supporters and acknowledging all who made the event happen.
The benefit also included a segment on seat belt safety from Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Michael Gillock, Trooper Rachel Bettis and Training Education Trooper Jeffrey Yenchko.
Sate Sen. Andy Manar and Macoupin County Sheriff’s Deputy Shawn Kahl spoke about seat belt laws.
The benefit ended with Armstrong’s father, Bryan Armstrong, doing the silent auction, which included wreaths, clothing, yard decals and oil changes.
Passion Painter painted, while Kishon Miller sang, “How to save a life” by the Fray.
“It was a beautiful night for a beautiful girl. I am glad I was able to be a part of it,” said one of Brooklyn’s friends.
The money raised from the event and campaign will go to seat belt safety awareness. Brooklyn’s family plans to place billboards along highways and interstates across the state.
Ott and his wife, Kristy Armstrong-Ott, have played a major part in the “Buckle-Up-for-Brooklyn” campaign.
“Maybe we are supposed to do something bigger with this,” said Armstrong-Ott.
As of Oct. 7, there have been 686 fatalities on Illinois highways in 2014, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. While seat belt usage is unknown in almost half of fatal accidents, 182 of them are known to have involved a person who did not wear — or improperly used — a seat belt.
In 2013, there were 991 people killed, with data showing at least 291 of them included the misuse of a seat belt, according to IDOT.
“Many people don’t understand the actual risk they are taking at the time (of misusing a seat belt and driving),” another close friend of Brooklyn’s said. “Not enough people care until it’s too late.”
Brooklyn’s family said that many people have now taken the stand to wear seat belts.
“She (Brooklyn) just keeps changing lives,” Armstrong-Ott said.
Shannon Connolly can be reached at [email protected] or 217-786-2311.
Amber • Oct 15, 2014 at 10:52 am
Great journalism! Great job! Great way to use personal tragedy to educate others & hopefully keep them from enduring the same unnecessary pain. I have been making a more conscious choice as of late to wear my seat belt & this article drives the point home. Thank You for sharing!
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we KNOW that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. ~Romans 8:26-28
Once again, way to use this personal tragedy to raise awareness & help others! ~May God Bless you & your efforts ~Amber (Payson, AZ)
geri lee • Oct 15, 2014 at 8:39 pm
Great job. – Geri (Ridgecrest, CA)