BUSHLAND, TEXAS -- We continue to hear about the dangers of distracting driving, and their deadly consequences.
One family from Wellman, Texas was in the Panhandle Thursday, using their tragic story to educate teens about what texting while driving can do.
Alex Brown was killed in a one vehicle accident in November of 2009. The authorities say she was texting behind the wheel.
Her family has made it their mission since her death to educate students about it, and Thursday, they told their story at Bushland High School.
"November the 10th of 2009, Alex was a 17-year old senior headed to school and she was texting on the way to school and went off the road. She chose not to wear her seat belt that day so she came out and as the truck rolled, it rolled on top of her and it crushed her," said Jeanne Brown, Alex's Mom.
On that tragic day, the family made a decision to share their story.
"We learned firsthand what happens and who it hurts and we don't want this to continue. We don't want another family going through what we've gone through," said Brown.
So for years, the Browns have been traveling around the United States talking with students and the public about the dangers of texting while driving and not wearing your seat belt.
As for Alex's truck, the family takes it with them to every school they visit.
"We always try to pull Alex's truck with us. We pull it with us because it's a great visual image for the kids to see," said Brown.
The Browns' story hit close to home for some of the students at Bushland High School, and they hope their classmates take their message seriously.
"Teens really don't think about their consequences when they're driving and when they don't, they usually hurt themselves or anyone else around them," said Ryan Gomez.
Gomez is part the the schools, "Teens In the Driver Seat" group that helps educate their classmates about distracted driving dangers.
The Browns are also encouraging parents to lead by example and put their phones down while driving.
"Learn by our examples, not by what we say. So we have to live by what we say is right. So I just want to encourage the parents to be that example and put their phone down in their car and make it a point to be safe while they're behind the wheel whether their kids are in the car or not," said Brown.
Since taking on their mission less than a month after their daughters death, the Browns have been traveling around the U.S. But their operations run solely on donations.
You can visit their website at www.rememberalexbrownfoundation.org.
