Faces of Distracted Driving: Alex Brown, 17 "She believed me in so many things, but this one thing we couldn't get her to quit"

Alex Brown wanted to change the world.  

"I knew she was gonna do something big," said Johnny Mac Brown.  "But something as small as a text message ended that."

Last night, ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition introduced the world to the Brown family: father Johnny Mac, mother Jeanne, and 12-year-old Katrina.  And today, they're featured in our latest "Faces of Distracted Driving" video:

Life hasn't been the same for the Browns since November 10, 2009--the day 17-year-old Alex died after crashing her truck on the way to school in Wellman, Texas.  She was texting behind the wheel.

It was a habit her parents had tried to break since she got her license.  "She believed me in so many things, but this one thing we couldn't get her to quit," said Jeanne Brown.

Alex was one of nearly 5,500 people to die in distracted driving crashes in 2009. Nearly half a million more were injured.

"I told her, 'You've got to stop this, you're going to have a wreck.' But her mentality was it wasn't gonna happen to her," Johnny Mac said.

Tragically, it did happen.  And since losing their beloved daughter, the Browns have made it their mission to prevent other families from suffering a similar loss.  

Within days of Alex's death, Jeanne and Johnny Mac decided to begin towing her mangled truck to schools across Texas to speak with teens about the dangers of distracted driving.  And they started the Remember Alex Brown Foundation, creating a pledge to encourage safe driving.

"The pledge we have, it's a pledge to yourself--and to every other person on the road.  It's a commitment to stop texting and driving and buckle up your seatbelt," said Johnny Mac.

And with the help of Justin Bieber, Emma Roberts, NASCAR drivers Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards, and the entire Extreme Makeover: Home Edition crew, the Browns are preparing to take their cause to the next level.  In addition to their new home, the family received resources to help them launch their organization nationally.  And fifty high schools in fifty states have already taken the R.A.B. pledge not to text and drive.

At the beginning of last night's show, head designer Ty Pennington said, "We can't bring Alex back, but we can make sure her name is remembered forever."  

Every time you watch one of our "Faces of Distracted Driving" videos, you honor the memory of another victim of this senseless epidemic. Please, share "Alex Brown, 17" with someone you love.

And if you have a distracted driving experience you'd like to share, post a video on YouTube and email a link to faces@distraction.gov. 

Comments

[J Jackson]

Just tragic. It really hits home even worse when you see the pictures. This happened to a friend recently and it is heartbreaking. Thanks for helping to spread the word.

[Ashfaq Ahamed]

we fully endorse this movement and this can certainly create awareness in the younger generation.We shall also carry forward this" Alex Brown 17" msg show the video and save many more innocent lives.
Ashfaq Ahamed
President AIFMVDTEOA
Licencing & Registering
Bangalore North
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[Curt]

Wow, very powerful post, people like the Brown's are making a difference with their story. This is a very serious issue.

[Dr. J Smith]

A truly touching and tragic story indeed. Thanks for all that you are doing to spread the word about this important issue. Good luck in the fight.

[jenn air grill]

Just tragic. It really hits home even worse when you see the pictures. This happened to a friend recently and it is heartbreaking. Thanks for helping to spread the word.

[Ohrana]

A truly touching and tragic story indeed. Thanks for all that you are doing to spread the word about this important issue. Good luck in the fight.

[J. Thompson]

How truly sad. How many more people must be lost before we all do something?

[HSA Insurance]

Thank you for the posts. we fully endorse this movement and this can certainly create awareness in the younger generation.We shall also carry forward this" Alex Brown 17" msg show the video and save many more innocent lives. Thanks again for all that you are doing.

[Coral Springs Lumineers]

Thank you for everything that you are doing to help fight this issue. As a dentist we see far too many injuries from auto accidents. They are heartbreaking when they could be avoided.

[Virtual Desktop Infrastructure]

This is just tragic. It really hits home even worse when you see the pictures. This happened to a friend recently and it is heartbreaking. Thanks for helping to spread the word and we appreciate all that you do. JS

[Tina Kramer]

Moving story. There shoul dbe stricter laws about what you can do in youe car while driving.

[Dallas Dentist]

This is very sad stuff. As a dentist I have seen a few cases of significant damage due to this problem. Let's stop if as soon as we can!!! Dr. Jenkins

[HSA Rules]

I am touched by the article and all of the caring comments about this issue. Let's work together to solve it asap.

[Insurance Ombudsman]

Thanks for caring. Please keep up the good work.

[Coral Springs Dentist]

This is sad, sad stuff. We have seen a few patient with major dental problems as a result of car wrecks from this.

[kayla]

I was crying when i was watching extreme home edition. I promise i wont text and drive

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[mary lopez]

Very Sad, My heart goes out to you, and your family.

[Cleaning Service Tulsa]

A truly touching and tragic story indeed. Thanks for all that you are doing to spread the word about this important issue. Good luck in the fight.