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Los Angeles Board of Supervisors Declares National Teen Driver Safety Week in Los Angeles County in Honor of 16-Year-Old Conor Lynch


conor lynch

LOS ANGELES--October 17, 2012: Nearly two years after Conor Lynch was killed instantly by a distracted and unlicensed teen driver in Sherman Oaks, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors proclaimed "National Teen Driver Safety Week in Los Angeles County" in honor of the 16-year-old, Tuesday at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration.

“National Teen Driver Safety Week in Los Angeles County”

Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority who represents the Fifth District (San Gabriel, Pomona, San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys), arranged the proclamation, as well as a commendation to the Conor Lynch Foundation for its role in raising awareness and promoting the safety of runners, pedestrians, cyclists and young drivers.

"Proclaiming National Teen Driver Safety Week in Los Angeles County will honor Conor's memory and bring attention to the fact that texting and focusing on other things while driving can be a fatal mistake," said Antonovich.

On October 19, 2010, Conor was struck by an 18-year-old driver when she failed to yield while he was crossing Woodman Avenue with his high school cross country team. A memorial bench honoring Conor's memory now sits on Woodman Avenue near Addison Street.

In that same year, 191 teens from ages 15 to 19 were killed and another 24,616 were injured in traffic crashes in California. Of those individuals, 39 teens were killed and another 7,120 were injured in traffic crashes in Los Angeles County, according to the California Highway Patrol.

This past Sunday, the Foundation officially kicked-off the 6th Annual National Teen Driver Safety Week with its 2nd Annual 5K Run/Walk In Honor of Conor event at Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Park. Close to 2,000 runners and volunteers participated in the fund-raiser to support the non-profit's new and existing programs.

The Board of Supervisor's proclamation cements that local leaders recognize the importance of educating the public on the dangers of teen texting and driving.

"I'm personally touched and moved that the Board has dedicated this very important week to my son," said Jeri Dye Lynch, president of the Foundation. "Obviously, October 19, 2010 is a day I'll never forget, and it still boggles my mind that his death occurred during National Teen Driver Safety Week and just right after the Department of Transportation's Distracted Driving Summit in Washington, D.C. We're a real family representing some of those statistics, and we will continue to stand up against distracted driving."

On Saturday, October 20, the Foundation is partnering up with the Auto Club of Southern California for the Teen Driver Safety Fair on the final day of NTSDW. The free event is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Notre Dame High School, 13645 Riverside Drive, Sherman Oaks. Recording artist Ryan Beatty has been active in AT&T's "It Can Wait" campaign, and he is expected to attend the fair to sign "No Text on Board" stickers from 12:00 -- 1:00 p.m. During the day, parents and teens will learn about the dangers of impaired and distracted driving. People interested in attending can still RSVP at Safety4Teens.

About the Conor Lynch Foundation

The Conor Lynch Foundation supports new and existing programs that raise awareness and promote safety for pedestrians, runners, cyclists and young drivers. Conor Lynch was killed instantly by a distracted teen driver in 2010 during National Teen Safe Driving Week. His mother Jeri Dye Lynch, President of The Conor Lynch Foundation, is also President of Pinecrest Schools, a nine campus private school in the greater Los Angeles area. For more information about the Conor Lynch Foundation please visit In Honor of Conor.