Share Your Story: Help Transform “Accidents” into Truth

At Not an Accident, we understand that your loved one’s story holds immense value and purpose. It not only preserves the cherished memories of those who have died but also helps others realize they are not alone in their grief. Too often, deaths resulting from drug poisoning or impaired driving are labeled as “accidents” on death certificates. We believe it’s important to challenge this narrative.

By sharing your story and photos, you can inspire others and contribute to a movement that seeks to hold criminals  accountable.  Your experience has the power to uplift and educate, potentially saving lives.

How to Share Your Story:

• Who Was Your Loved One? Share their age, personality, and what made them special.
• What Happened? Provide a clear description of the circumstances (e.g., DUI crash, drug-induced homicide, reckless driving, or another cause).
• Why Was It Not an Accident? Highlight the choices or actions that made the incident preventable and criminal.

Please include your loved one’s and/or survivor’s full name, your name, and your relationship to them. We ask that you refrain from including links to GoFundMe pages or other external sites.

Submission Guidelines:

• Keep your story focused and impactful, ideally between 1,200 and 1,500 characters (around 200-250 words).
• Focus on your loved one and the advocacy message, avoiding long timelines, legal arguments, or case minutiae.

Thank you for being an integral part of our community as we work together to improve and save lives.

—Candace Lightner and Matt Capelouto