March 18, 2012, 7-year-old Matthew Waldrup-Fisher was struck and killed by a 2000 silver Chevrolet Camaro traviling at 50mph on a 25mph residential neighborhood street while he was riding his bicycle at South Florida Avenue and West State Street, just about 50 yards from our family's home. Our son, Matthew succumbed to his injuries at the scene of the crash. The driver, Paul Escobedo, 23, of Avon
Park, left his home a block away at a high rate of speed in a Chevy Camaro and struck Matthew while he was attempting to cross the street. At the rate of speed the car was traveling Matthew never had a chance, there were no skid marks. In Florida speeding twice the speedlimit and killing a pedestrian isn't necessarily a criminal offence. In the end he was given a citation for speeding, a fine and a six month suspention. It was all the law would allow. It’s a nightmare every night, every night we close our eyes and we’re the ones in prison. We’re the ones who aren’t getting out. We will grieve forever. We now campaign and apply ourselves where we are needed in communites where tragety has struck as well and just as importaint in communties where tragedy hasen't. Our Signs Of Life organization focuses on raising awareness of the dangers of speeding and working to avoid this tragedy from happening to others.
