“Innocent lives are being taken everyday.” | Through tragedy, families and friends of victims unite for Walk Like MADD event

Saturday morning, the 2024 Walk Like MADD event was held at Palo Alto College in San Antonio.  

It’s goal is to raise money to eliminate drunk and drugged driving and to continue offering services for those impacted by the tragedy of a drunk driving crash.

“I wouldn’t want this for anybody, you know, especially when you lose a child,” said Cindy Portillo, Mother of Bexar County Deputy Meredith Portillo.

It’s sorrow impossible to express.

“I don’t think there’s any words to describe,” said Portillo.

Cindy Portillo’s Daughter, Meredith, chose a life of service as a deputy with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.

On July 21, Meredith was off-duty when she was hit and killed by a wrong way driver.

“it’s definitely been really, really hard for all of us. Every day, it’s a struggle,” said Portillo.

As if the pain wasn’t devastating enough, Cindy says she just learned the driver was intoxicated.

“I needed to be here, so that I could represent of her,” said Portillo.

Monique Presas lives the same nightmare.

“In one day, I think it’ll be seven months without her,” said Monique Presas, Whitney Weddel’s Mother.

In February, a wrong way driver hit and killed her daughter, Whitney Weddel.  

Weddel was a beloved nurse and teacher and deputies say the driver was drunk.

“It’s really an opportunity for us, and for the community, to acknowledge what they’ve been through,” said Natalie Paulus, Regional Director of Victim Services, MADD.

Every year, a short walk around the Palo Alto campus pays tribute to survivors and victims of impaired driving.  It’s called “Walk Like MADD.”

“It’s a lot of devastation. There’s no other way to put it.  It’s a lot of, not understanding why it happened, and why it had to happen to them specifically,” said Paulus

It’s a crime without barriers, it can happen to anyone, that’s where Mother’s Against Drunk Driving comes in.  They offer wraparound support and advocacy through the criminal justice process. Saturday’s walk raised more than $51,000.

“Because, we are one team, believe it or not,” said Prisca Osunsan, MADD National Ambassador.

It’s a team they didn’t expect to join, but they’re here in unity.

“I think she’d be very proud of me to be here instead of at home, being sad.  This experience, this kind of loss and in pain like I am,” said Presas.

In that unity, they share one message: these deaths are preventable and all it takes is responsibility.

“If you’re drinking get an Uber, get a ride or stay where you’re at, because there are innocent lives being taken every day,” said Portillo

The Walk Like MADD event’s goal for the event was to raise $65,000.  

If you would like to donate, you can click here.