Teen Driver Safety

Father’s Day in Bryant Laiche’s family is tough to celebrate.

Bryant’s sister Emley was in a fatal crash 16 years ago on that day caused by a drunk, teenaged driver. Bryant, 21, lives each day making sure her memory has purpose.

“Spreading the word about teen driver safety is so important. If my words can save just one life, it’s all worth it,” said Bryant, a former Youth Advisory Board member and current Louisiana intern.

“My passion for teen driver safety is born out of a personal tragedy. It’s important that I take my story and use it to make a difference for others.”

– Bryant Laiche, State Farm intern

Emley, who was 12, was in the back seat of a car when two teenagers, who had been drinking all day, ran a stop sign and T-boned the vehicle. Unrestrained, her body was ejected from the car.

“When we got the call, we knew our world had changed,” said Bryant.

The Laiches watched for 24 hours as Emley’s brain function deteriorated in a Baton Rouge, La., hospital. Finally, life support was disconnected.

“It’s just so powerful that companies like State Farm are creating a platform to talk about these issues,” Bryant said. “They’re giving a voice to stories like my sister’s.”

Celebrated the third week in October, National Teen Driver Safety Week is aimed at creating dialogue on a national level about the startling number of teens killed in vehicle crashes each year. More importantly, State Farm is using this week to engage teens in developing creative ways to lower these numbers.