GENESEE COUNTY -- Ahead of the upcoming holiday weekend, a Fenton mother opened up to NBC25 and shared her story of loss and the consequences of drinking and driving.
Nearly 23-years ago Shirley Walker's son's life was cut short.
"Tony loved life. He really lived life to the fullest."
Tony Walker was killed in a car crash involving a drunk driver.
"It was not an accident. Accidents can't be prevented, drunk driving can be."
Shirley is sharing her story so people think about twice about drinking and driving this New Year's eve.
On January 7th, 1989, Tony was at a friends apartment in Holly and caught a lift from people he didn't know trying to get home to Fenton.
It would be the last car ride the 23-year old ever took.
"the driver was weaving back and forth and he lost control of the car. It slid across a field and hit a tree."
Tony was taken to a hospital in Pontiac with critical injuries.
Shirley got the call every mother fears.
"It couldn't possibly be. God wouldn't do that do me."
Tony died in the hospital.
"You want grandchildren from your kids. you want to see their lives develop. I don't have that with Tony."
Now Shirley is making it her mission to try and stop this from happening to anyone else.
She joined Mothers Against Drunk Driving a few months after Tony's death and is an outspoken advocate against drunk driving.
"People have to be accountable for their actions."
Her story is one Shirley wants people to remember as they head out to celebrate the new year this weekend.
"As long as there are people out there drinking and driving. I have to keep doing this. I wish I could stop it and all I can do is try."
Ironically, the driver in Tony's car crash had taken over for another guy who was too drunk to drive.
Shirley says had Tony known the people better, he would have insisted driving since he wasn't drunk.
