Friday, March 17th 2023, 11:34 pm
An Edmond woman’s family spreads awareness of drunk driving after she was killed by a suspected drunk driver.
Allyson Goad was traveling on a Texas highway in September 2021 when she was hit head-on by another driver who crossed the center line, said troopers.
"It was heartbreaking and soul-shattering, essentially, whenever we got the news," said Ally's brother, Colin Goad. "Just to see that this is now our life, we like to make something good of it."
That was why the family created a nonprofit, Ally Rocks 405, to share Ally's story and raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving. To spread the message, the family began painting rocks, with each one showing a side of Ally, such as her favorite things.
"She loves sunflowers. She loves the color teal. Padfoot was part of her personality, her dog," said Ally's best friend, Grace Southern. "If you were having a bad day and you would call her, she would answer and she would sit on the phone with you for hours just to talk about it, make you feel better."
Family and friends would then hide the rocks around Edmond and at popular tourist destinations, like Universal Studios in Florida, their favorite vacation spot.
Each one came with a message that read:
"You found a piece of our hearts. This gift is hidden with all our love in honor of our daughters, Allyson Goad and Chelsey Updike, who were taken too young by drunk drivers in 2021. We hide these in Universal Studios to raise awareness and remember their amazing lives. Join our mission on our Facebook and on TikTok @AllyRocks405."
Chelsey Updike was the daughter of a family friend who was killed in a different wreck involving a drunk driver.
People who found the rocks were encouraged to post photos on the Ally Rocks 405 Facebook group, which grew to about 3,300 members. Many of them have been painting their own rocks to spread Ally's story and hiding them in various places across the country, like Michigan and Boston, as well as overseas.
"We're up to 15 countries and 124 different destinations all around the world. It's really crazy," said Ally's sister-in-law, Emileigh Goad, who estimated that up to 2,000 rocks have been painted thanks to the combined efforts of everyone involved.
Ally's mother, Danette Goad, said her long-term goal is to partner Ally Rocks 405 with ridesharing services to cover the cost of transportation for people who had been drinking, so they can get home safely.
"I'm doing the best I can, baby. I'm trying to bloom where I'm planted because this isn't easy," said Danette. "The world really lost an angel with her so I'm just trying to make sure that it all stays alive here.
In addition to painted rocks, Ally's family and friends also hide buttons and other trinkets. To support their effort, join the Ally Rocks 405 Facebook group. Donations can be made through Venmo @AllyRocks405.
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