Impaired and Drunk Driving, Her Daughter and Husband Were Killed

Pam O'Donnell, Husband and DaughterPhoto byLaw Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast

West Palm Beach, Fl - On February 22, 2016, a devastating crash claimed the lives of Timothy O'Donnell and his five-year-old daughter, Bridget, when an impaired driver collided with their vehicle on the New Jersey Turnpike extension near the toll booths at Interchange 14C.

The incident occurred as Timothy O'Donnell, who had stopped at a toll booth to obtain a ticket, was rear-ended by the impaired driver. The impact pushed O'Donnell's vehicle into oncoming traffic, where it was struck by an ambulance. Timothy was pronounced dead at the scene, and Bridget succumbed to her injuries en route to the Jersey City Medical Center.

In May 2019, the impaired driver received a sentence of 37 years and one day in prison, a decision currently under appeal. He is serving his sentence at East Jersey State Prison in Rahway.

Pam O'Donnell, in an interview with Nj.com, who lost her husband and daughter in the crash, described Timothy as a passionate science teacher at County Prep High School in Jersey City. "If there is such a thing as a perfect marriage, we had it," she said. "We loved each other. We respected each other. We talked about everything. Any issue—we talked it out. We were a partnership. We were a team."

Pam also remembered Bridget as fun-loving, mischievous, and incredibly compassionate. During Pam's battle with cancer two years before the accident, Bridget was her devoted caregiver, waking up every two hours at night to help her mother with medication.

The tragic loss of Timothy and Bridget O'Donnell highlights the persistent crisis of impaired driving in the United States. Despite stringent laws against driving under the influence, drunk driving remains a significant issue. In 2022, 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired driving incidents, accounting for 32% of all traffic fatalities. On average, 37 people die each day in drunk-driving crashes—one person every 39 minutes.

Strict enforcement of drunk-driving laws has contributed to a 36% reduction in fatalities since 1982, with an 83% decrease among those under 21. However, hardcore drunk drivers, who are responsible for nearly 70% of these fatalities, continue to pose a major threat.

To combat impaired driving, many states have implemented ignition interlock devices, which require drivers to pass a breath test before their vehicle can start. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) supports the expansion of these devices as a proven method to prevent impaired driving.

Pam O'Donnell's story and mission to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving are featured in the podcast "Daughter and Husband Killed by an Impaired Driver: Her Story and Mission," available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website and most major podcast platforms.

Tune in to the nationally syndicated law enforcement talk radio show's enriching and free podcast series, where you can explore conversations on law enforcement topics and navigate the complexities of trauma recovery.

Attributions

NJ.com

Responsibility.org

NHTSA