Heather's Story

NEW VIDEO: #WASNOW can’t dampen Lake Washington students’ resolve to fight #DWD, #TWD

Mark Horner — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 01:36:42 +0000

I’ll keep this post very short. This one’s really all about the video; an effort that goes nicely with Wednesday’s post. Click image below for larger view…

Lake Washington students embrace Heather’s story in fight against TWD

Mark Horner — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 23:58:26 +0000

UPDATE: Be sure to watch new video featuring Lake Washington High School seniors Shannon Bebee, Taylor LaFave and Kaylin Wilson in the February 25th, 2011 post, NEW VIDEO: #WASNOW CAN’T DAMPEN LAKE WASHINGTON STUDENTS’ RESOLVE TO FIGHT #DWD, #TWD *** STORY INCLUDES VIDEO Hard to believe, but today marks the anniversary of Heather Lerch’s passing. ...

Small town sees eerily similar fatal texting crashes nearly 1 year apart

Mark Horner — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 18:05:31 +0000

Update #5: (6:49pm/PST): Here’s tonight’s KING-TV news story featuring Heather’s mother, Wendy Lerch: *Update #4: (5:41pm/PST): Young woman killed in last night’s texting-while-driving crash identified as Ashley Rene Jones-Davis of Tumwater (source: SeattlePI.com) *Please note: this update was revised on February 28 to include link to obituary and to correct last name; previously reported as ...

INTERNATIONAL: heathersstory.org gets mention in major Abu Dhabi newspaper

Mark Horner — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 03:56:13 +0000

New: See how reporter Georgia Lewis’ story appeared in The National’s print edition: The National, page 1 (pdf), The National, page 2 (pdf) *** Several weeks ago, heathersstory.org was contacted by reporter Georgia Lewis of The National, an English language newspaper published in the United Arab Emirates. Lewis explained that she was working on a ...

New sign honors memory of teen killed in texting while driving crash

Mark Horner — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 06:41:50 +0000

Wendy Lerch had seen other roadside memorials and knew she wanted one to honor the life of the 19-year-old daughter she’d lost earlier this year. “Kind of a permanent memorial for her,” Lerch explained. “My brother works for DOT so I sent him on a task to find out how to get one for Heather. ...

A video every driver should watch

Mark Horner — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:38:18 +0000

Powerful. Gripping. A “must-watch” video. All words I tend to avoid as they so often seem coated with hype; the frosting that hides a soggy cake of disappointment. But not this time. In truth, “powerful,” “gripping” and “must watch” still seem to come-up short when attempting to describe the video I’ve just watched. It runs ...

Mother’s mobile message: “Hang up & Drive!”

Mark Horner — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 05:29:48 +0000

In the war against distracted driving, Wendy Lerch has just taken her message to the front lines. She is motivated by the threat of more casualties in a battle that–just six months ago–became so very, very personal. On a February night, 19-year-old Heather Lerch was driving home from work when her car left the road ...

A message from Heather’s parents, Dan and Wendy Lerch

Mark Horner — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 05:55:20 +0000

A quick post tonight to share that the home page on heathersstory.org has been updated to include a story written by Dan and Wendy Lerch. The story is a brief remembrance of their late-daughter Heather’s life, as well as a testimony to her potential and the way in which she touched many lives. More than ...

Heather’s story shared on KING-5

Mark Horner — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:28:56 +0000

Given the current version of the Mariners, a home run can be hard to find in Seattle these days. But KING-5′s Margaret Larson definitely hit the ball out of the park on her morning show today when she delivered a powerful segment dedicated to Washington state’s new cell phone law. Larson’s guests on New Day Northwest included Trooper ...

Heather’s story continues to touch lives

Mark Horner — Mon, 31 May 2010 18:37:34 +0000

More than 3-months have passed since 19-year-old Heather Lerch died instantly after her car left the road at an estimated 60 miles per hour and T-boned the end of a guardrail. Just five weeks after that horrific night, Heather’s parents agreed to tell their daughter’s story on-camera, hoping it would dissuade people from distracted driving. ...