South Florida

Mother and Drunk Driver Promote National Teen Driver Safety Week

The pair are visiting schools in South Florida to talk to students about the irreversible consequences of drunk driving.

A man convicted of killing two 20-year-olds in 2002 is now working alongside the victims' families to drive home one message: never drink and drive.

The mother of one of the victims, Renee Napier, shared the stage Tuesday with the man who took her daughter's life, Eric Smallridge.

The pair are visiting schools in South Florida to talk to students about the irreversible consequences of drunk driving.

They teamed up with Broward County Sheriff Fire Rescue to push the important message to students at Boyd Anderson High School.

The presentation is part of the larger National Teen Driver Safety Week.

Smallridge shared his story with teen students, "I had that Superman complex that's why I wear these t-shirts to every presentation I do because this was my mindset. I knew bad things happened to people, I just didn't think it was going to be me."

Napier's daughter, Meagan, and her daughter's friend, Lisa, were killed when Smallridge, who was under the influence, crashed into the their car, causing them to plow into a tree.

"If you're doing it, it can happen to you," said Smallridge.

Napier started the Meagan Napier Foundation in honor of her daughter's life.

Smallridge has traveled with Napier across the country touching the lives of students who know the pain drunk driving can cause.

They bring with them the car Meagan and Lisa died in.

"Nobody can win in this situation. The only way for us to win is for Meagan and Lisa to come back," said Napier.

The partnership between Napier and her daughter's killer is a testament to the power of forgiveness and the positivity that can come from tragedy.

"I've caused so much pain, so much strife by the bad choices I've made and I feel like this is an opportunity for me to help carry on Meagan and Lisa's legacy.

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