LITTLETON — Brad Trujillo and his family find it difficult to have a very, merry Christmas.
Eight years ago, Trujillo’s only son, Josh, an 18-year-old senior at Berthoud High School, was killed by a drunken driver.
“We live with a very dark pain in our lives,” Trujillo said. “It’s a pain that only a parent who has lost a child would understand.”
Trujillo, a volunteer with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, spoke at a news conference today to help kick off a campaign — Tie One On for Safety — to cut down on drunken driving during the holiday season.
The program, in its 21st year, uses red ribbons with MADD spelled out in white lettering, which people can tie to car antennas or key chains to show their support.
Last year, 19 people in the state died in traffic crashes between Thanksgiving and New Years Day, said Major Doyle Eicher of the Colorado State Patrol, and 40 percent of those people killed died in alcohol-related events.
“Slow down, drive sober, buckle-up and have a safe holiday season,” Eicher said.
Trujillo recalled his son as a “great kid” who was “always good at school.”
Josh would have been the first family member to attend college.
Instead he died about a mile from his home at 7 p.m.
“Once the act has been committed, there is no turning back,” Trujillo said. “It’s been eight years since I’ve been able to tell him I love him, or kiss him, or hug him. It is still very painful.”
People who would like to support the program can pick up red ribbons at any Phil Long car dealership. Long is a partner in the Tie One On program.
“It’s just the right thing to do, to be involved in the community to get this message out,” said Jim Fynes, a Long executive.
Red ribbons and red ribbon decals can also be found at other MADD affiliations — go to for a list.
Fynes, Trujillo and Eicher said drivers should plan their holiday celebrations and make sure not to get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking.
“We need to stop this horrible crime against families,” Trujillo said. “It’s devastating to the whole community.”
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
