“I’ll be right behind you and I’ll see you at home”.

 

Those were the last words Anthony ‘Tony’ McColl spoke to his sister on April 16, 2011. He never made it home.Tony was just trying to be the responsible big brother. His sister Alanna had been out partying. He wanted to make sure that she and her friends got home safely. Tony showed up to be the designated driver. He loaded the car with his sister’s friends. Alanna wanted to go with them. Tony said ‘no’ – the car was full and there were no more seatbelts. He gave her $20 so she could jump in a cab with some other friends. The cab left first. Tony followed, just seconds behind. Highway 148 is a winding, scenic route to Luskville during the day. At night, going fast is dangerous. A few minutes into the 30-minute ride home a car going at very high speed tore by the cab going in the opposite direction. A few seconds later, a police car sped by. Richard – one of Tony’s friends in the cab with Alanna – said ‘must be a police chase’. The friends shrugged it off and kept talking about what a great party it had been.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes later the speeding car went out of control. The car crossed the centerline and collided head-on with Tony’s vehicle. Tony was killed instantly. The other driver died on impact as well. Alanna’s four friends suffered serious injuries but survived. Two only started walking again in August.The police had been in pursuit because they suspected the driver was drunk. Richard, who’d been in the cab with Alanna and got home safely, was devastated. He, like most of Tony’s friends only found out hours later that Tony had been tragically killed. Tony had been a good buddy. He felt he had to do something. Within 24 hours Richard and 3 of his close friends came up with “Tony’s Promise”. The “Tony’s Promise” campaign emphasizes to young people and adults that they do have a choice. They can make potential life-saving decisions when it comes to driving and drinking.“Tony’s Promise”: "Pledge to never drive or let another person drive under the influence of any substance by simply saying: I Promise!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To date, close to 7,000 Facebook group members have made a promise - “Tony’s Promise”. The campaign has reminders – “Tony’s Promise” key chains, bracelets, hats and bumper stickers – so young people can take the promise with them. Richard, his friends and the Facebook members believe that if they can save even one ‘Tony’ then they’ve been successful.

 

For more information about Tony's Promise, visit: www.tonyspromise.org.