Death of daughter prompts "Laurens Law"

YELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio (WDTN) - A family in mourning is advocating for the state of Ohio to crack down on distracted drivers, starting with the village of Yellow Springs. 

Kelly and Jaye Drummond lost their 5-year-old daughter, Lauren, in a car accident on West National Road in Bethel Township on August 15, 2011.

The family, who then lived in Clark County, was making their way home from a trip to the park.  Jaye was behind the wheel, Kelly in the front passenger seat and their two children, Lauren, 5, and Matthew, 3, were sitting in the back of the van.  According to officials, Mr. Drummond had stopped for a deer in the road.  Moments later a vehicle hit them from behind.  Police believe the driver at-fault was not paying attention.

"There is evidence the woman had sent a text message from her cell phone at the approximate time of the crash," said Jaye Drummond.  "A child's life isn't worth "OMG", "LOL."

"We hope our daughter's death can educate others," said Kelly Drummond.  "People can look at Laurens' picture, see her face and see what has been taken away from us and everyone she knew."

The tragedy has prompted the Drummonds to become advocates on laws against the use of cell phones and even hands-free devices while driving.

"If the state isn't going to take action any time soon, we would like to build laws on a local level, starting with Yellow Springs," said Jaye Drummond.  "Certain cities and villages already have laws in place because officials there are fed up with more and more people be killed due to distracted drivers."

The family was forced to celebrate their first Thanksgiving and Christmas without their daughter this year.  March 13th will be equally hard for the Drummonds.  Its the day Lauren would be turning 6-years-old.

"I hear her voice everyday in my mind," said Jaye Drummond.  "I see her everywhere I go.  I'm expecting to turn around and see her and she is not there."

On February 6th the family will be attending a city commission meeting in Yellow Springs.  A council member will be presenting the issue of using cell phones while driving within the village in hopes a law can eventually be put in place.