Mothers Against Drunk Driving: 'Every crash is preventable' as area mourns 2 Central Illinoisans

SPRINGFIELD (25News Now) - The nonprofit organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is expressing its condolences following a tragic incident in Central Illinois that resulted in the deaths of two men due to an alleged drunk driver. The crash occurred in Nashville, Tennessee, when a driver failed to slow down for merging traffic, leading to the fatal collision.

The victims were identified as 45-year-old Bradley Parrott, who was actively involved with the Washington High School softball team through his daughters, and his 72-year-old father, William Parrott, from Peoria. The incident has deeply affected the local community, highlighting the severe consequences of impaired driving.

Erin Payton, director of mission operations with MADD, emphasized that every DUI crash is preventable through responsible decision-making. She stated that regardless of a person’s past DUI history, the focus should be on making informed choices before drinking alcohol.

Payton reiterated the importance of planning ahead to avoid such tragedies, stressing that these incidents should never occur if proper precautions are taken. "If you make a plan before you choose to drink, you can prevent any of this from happening," she said.

In light of this devastating loss, MADD's victim services team has reached out to the affected families, offering support during this difficult time as they cope with their grief. The organization remains committed to raising awareness about the dangers of drunk driving and advocating for safer roads.