 Jeri Williams Chief of Police |
Oxnard Police Department
R. Jason Benites Scott Whitney |
OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT
NEWS RELEASE
| EVENT: | DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint in Memory of Taylor Marie Moss, this Friday. |
| DATE/TIME: | Friday, May 3rd, 2013 6:00 P.M. to 3:00 A.M. |
| LOCATION: |
City of |
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CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO: |
Derek Miller, Traffic Officer (derek.miller@oxnardpd.org) (805) 385-7600 Randy Latimer, Traffic Sergeant (randy.latimer@oxnardpd.org) |
DETAILS:
Victim of DUI Collision, Taylor Marie Moss, to be Honored at Oxnard DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint Friday Night
Oxnard, CA – The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will conduct a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on Friday, May 3rd at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m.
This checkpoint will be held in honor of Taylor Marie Moss, a local teen who was tragically killed by a DUI driver in 2009.
Taylor’s mother, Jacquelyn Moss, said, “Taylor was an outgoing, beautiful, smart, funny, and fun-loving 19 year old college student. She had an intrinsic love for children and was studying to become an elementary school teacher with further goals of becoming a counselor for troubled teens. From the age of 16 until her death, Taylor worked at her job helping children to create their own special bears at Build-A-Bear Workshop. Taylor was a wonderful girl who truly embodied what it meant to be a kind, thoughtful, and loving person. Life, for those who loved and cherished Taylor, will never be as colorful or bright and the hole left in our hearts by the actions of the drunk driver who ended her life, will never heal.”
At 2:00 am on November 1st, 2009, Taylor was driving home from a Halloween party with two of her friends in her car. They were driving northbound on the 101 freeway through Encino when they were struck head-on by a vehicle driving the wrong direction. Taylor tragically lost her life as a direct result of the collision. Her best friend suffered a broken arm and shattered glass in her eyes. Her other passenger sustained a broken clavicle.
The 27 year old intoxicated driver who killed Taylor was sentenced to 18 years in state prison with a mandatory 85% of that time served.
This collision and subsequent tragedy were completely preventable.
As motorists pass through the checkpoint they will see large posters of Taylor Moss and the aftermath of the collision scene that killed her. Drivers will receive a handout containing Taylor’s picture and her story. Some of Taylor’s family and friends will be present at the checkpoint in her honor.
The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving alcohol drop by an average of 20 percent when well-publicized checkpoints are conducted often enough.
Officers will be contacting drivers passing through the checkpoint looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. Officers will also check drivers for proper licensing and will strive to delay motorists only momentarily. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving. Drivers caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspension, and insurance increases, as well as fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000.
In 2010, over 10,000 people were killed nationally in motor vehicle traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher. In California, this deadly crime led to 791 deaths because someone failed to designate a sober driver. “The DUI collision that took Taylor’s life and forever stole her from the lives of her friends and family was completely preventable,” said Officer Derek Miller.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent. Based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.
The Oxnard Police Department will continue to honor victims of DUI related collisions during future checkpoints. The victims’ stories will continue to be told and their voices will continue to be heard. Officer Derek Miller said, “If we can change mindsets and behaviors for one night or for one weekend we have made our roadways safer for all of us.”
Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Oxnard Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to continue to work together to bring an end to these tragedies. The Oxnard Police Department would like to thank Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the friends and family of Taylor Marie Moss for their support and participation regarding this checkpoint operation. If you see a Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1.
Taylor’s Senior Portrait (provided by Taylor family.) |
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Taylor’s Vehicle (provided by family.)
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MEDIA NOTES: To schedule an interview regarding these memorial checkpoints, please contact Derek Miller at 805-385-7600 or at derek.miller@oxnardpd.org