New Colorado data shows deadly consequences of distracted driving

DENVER (KDVR) — Sobering new data shows the deadly consequences of distracted driving in Colorado.

From 2012-22, more than 700 people were killed in distracted driving crashes in the state, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.

Tammy McGee and Christy King know the heartbreak firsthand.

“We both lost our sons to car crashes,” King said.

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The two are sharing their story at the Lifesavers Conference on Roadway Safety in Denver.

“Christopher was 18. He had just graduated from high school. He had his whole life ahead of him,” King said. “I tell kids it was the one time he jumped into the backseat of a convertible that took his life.”

McGee said she lost her son in 2019.

“When your 16-year-old is ripped from you, one day you have him and the next day you don’t, you don’t really know what to do or how to make it through. But talking about Conner and telling his story it keeps him alive, and it helps other people,” McGee said.

Colorado State Patrol troopers cited more than 15,000 drivers for distracted driving in 2023, with people ages 22-29 receiving the most citations.

“We need people to step up to the plate,” McGee said. “We need them to put their phones down. We need them to buckle up, and we need them to just drive. When you’re behind the wheel, we want you to just drive.”

McGee and King travel the country together, not only to raise awareness but to inspire action.

“It helps us both to talk about Conner and Christopher, to keep their memory alive, to honor them in that way and to hopefully save lives that will remember their stories,” King said. “That’s how we get through it.”

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McGee started the Conner Gweedo Memorial Foundation in her son’s honor. She is also the founder of IfYouSeeSomethingSaySomething, an anonymous reporting process for concerns about unsafe driving, illegal activities and bullying.

“It’s giving people the ability to speak up without any fear of retaliation,” McGee said.

King started the Christopher King Foundation with a goal of “saving lives one seatbelt at a time.”

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