MAYNARDVILLE, Tenn — A 5k run and walk was held on Saturday to honor and remember a teen who was killed in a DUI crash in 2021. Jaelyn Collins was killed and her friend Ashton Bailey was injured when a man was driving while drunk and distracted.
"I started the jogging for Jaelyn event, just in memory of Jaelyn, and really just to bring awareness to drunk and distracted drivers," said Angela Bailey, the mother of Ashton. "We're just trying to bring awareness, trying to make sure that everybody understands the importance of making good decisions and not to drink and drive."
Angela said each year the amount of runners has grown.
"The very first year, I think we had around 40 to 50 runners," said Angela. "The second year, we had around 70 runners. And this year, as of this (Saturday) morning, that's before registration today, we had 93 runners. So every year it's gaining momentum. We try to include the vendors, you know, for our event, just because we want to bring the community together and bring awareness. And so it draws more people when you have like, craft vendors and things and the food trucks and stuff were a great idea to add to it. And so we're just trying to make it a community. "
She said 100% of the proceeds go to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
"I'm so happy that so many people have came out and that have promoted this and just like been a part of it with us, because it is very important to get the message out there," said Tami Oliver, Jaelyn's mother.
She has a message for anyone who even considered driving after drinking.
"Please don't, you have no idea the damage you can cause," said Tami. "It's everlasting. It never goes away. You could take someone's child, their parent, their brother, their sister. You could impact families, whole families. It's a ripple effect."
Angela said there are many ways to get home if you're under the influence and people should use them.
"They can call an Uber, call a friend, stay where they are until they sober up," said Angela. "There's just way too many options these days for people to make those bad choices."
Tami said she wants Jaelyn's memory to live on.
"Jaelyn had her whole life ahead of her and I just would hate to hear about another mother having to go through what I'm going through," said Tami. "And I would just love to see a time when it happened a lot less. Jaelyn was a beautiful girl, and she was loved so much by so many people, and she loved everybody, and we miss her so much, and I just appreciate people coming out and supporting this in her honor."