Mothers Against Drunk Driving host Fort Lauderdale walk

Hundreds attend 5K walk & run at Huizenga Park

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Hundreds of South Floridians lined up at Fort Lauderdale's Huizenga Park Sunday morning to show support for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or MADD.

It is the third year that the Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash event has been held in South Florida. Organizers want to raise awareness of their goal to end drunk driving across the country, especially in South Florida.

The state of Florida is currently ranked number 24 on the MADD's DUI related death map. Maine has the lowest number of deaths, while Hawaii has the highest.

Local 10's Tamika Bickham spoke with the event's chairwoman, Heather Geronemus. The Plantation resident has raised more than $200,000 for MADD Broward County after her father was struck and killed by a drunk driver in 2009.

Two-time silver Paralympic medalist Kari Miller was the event's special guest and speaker. She lost both of her legs when she was hit by a drunk driver in 1999. Since then, she's gone on to become one of the best sitting volleyball players in the world.

"Everybody has seen the tragic results from people who choose to drink and drive," Sgt. Mark Wysocky of the Florida Highway Patrol. "It's a choice. There are so many options: cabs, designated drivers...tow truck companies that will come pick you up."

The 5K walk and run is MADD Broward County's main fundraiser for the year. For more information about the organization and how to donate, click here.