TEMPLE TERRACE - Kim and Doug Marler described their daughter, Alexandria Jordan "Ally" as free-spirited, funny and fun.
"When she walked into a room her smile would light up the entire room," said Kim Marler about the elder of the Bradenton couple's two daughters. She spoke of Ally's passion for coaching gymnastics, horseback riding and caring for her 2-year-old daughter Leigha, the absolute love of her life.
On May 6, 2016, Ally's life ended tragically at age 20 when a drunken driver slammed into the rear of a motorcycle on which was a passenger.
"We will never feel whole again," Kim Marler said.
The Marlers were among several speakers at the Mothers Against Drunk Driving West Central Florida Chapter's annual candlelight vigil on Dec. 7 at First Baptist Church Temple Terrace. Families who have lost loved ones to impaired drivers filled the pews in union with hundreds of representatives from law enforcement agencies throughout the greater Tampa Bay area.
Sean Hankins, who had suffered severe injuries, spoke about his girlfriend, Caroline Sine, 34, who was killed on Aug. 14, 2016, when they were hit by an impaired driver on their way home from a night at the movies.
He and the others at the vigil strolled somberly outside the church, where hundreds of law enforcement officials stood at attention beside their vehicles' flashing red lights.
Hankins and the Marlers have made it their mission to lobby for tougher DUI penalties in the state of Florida.
So has Linda Unfried, who co-founded the MADD chapter in 1983 after the death of her sister, Josie, who was killed by a 17-year-old drunken driver whose license had been suspended.
"I've found that when you help others you help heal yourself," she said.
Contact Joyce McKenzie at hillsnews@tampabay.com.
