The world changed in an instant for Cathy Andreozzi on March 26, 2003, when she learned that her 12-year-old daughter, Tori Lynn, had been struck by a drunken driver while walking to school in West Warwick.
Tori, an energetic girl who loved martial arts, suffered a traumatic brain injury. And although severely impaired, she lived, surrounded by love and care, until November 2022.
It’s a story that could have had a different ending and that is why Andreozzi, who now lives in Warwick, will be taking part in a community conversation scheduled for next Thursday, Aug. 22, at 6:30 p.m., at the Johnston High School Auditorium.
The program — entitled “A Conversation About Impaired Driving, The Law, And a Call to Action” — is a collaborative effort with the Johnston School Department, the Johnston Prevention Coalition and the foundation that Andreozzi founded in her daughter’s name.
In addition to Andreozzi, speakers will include Johnston Police Chief Mark Vieira, Johnston Fire Chief David Iannuccilli, a representative of the attorney general’s office, and Patricia Sweet, director of Prevention Programs and the Southern Providence County Regional Prevention Task Force.
“There are some things in life you can’t prevent, but there are things you can,” Andreozzi said. “You can change things with the decisions you make.”
She said that she draws strength from telling Tori’s story in the hope that lives will be saved as awareness and education helps people make better decisions.
“It’s all about education and collaboration,” said Sweet, whose work comes under the umbrella of the Tri-County Community Action Agency. “I would encourage people to attend. We want to get people together so we can prevent tragedies.”
Sweet said that the coalition works with parents, students, law enforcement agencies, school officials and more, to be as effective as possible.
Johnston School Superintendent Bernard DiLullo, Jr. said he is hoping for a large turnout and that this a good time for the community discussion since families are just starting to think about their children returning to school. He noted that the School Department remains active throughout the year trying to make sure that youngsters are aware of the dangers of substance abuse. There are substance abuse counselors at the high school and junior high school, he said, and the School Department works actively with Sweet and the prevention coalition.
“The over-arching theme is community intervention to make everyone safe,” he said. “We are committed to doing the right thing for our kids and the more education we can give on the dangers they may face, the more we can help everyone stay safe.”
“Our kids are our future,” he said. “We don’t want anything to happen to them.”
Said Andreozzi, “Bad choices do not discriminate. My daughter left for school through the back door and was never able to come back exactly as she was when she left.
“The accident happened at 2:10 in the afternoon… is something that never had to happen.”
She added, “Tori was a little girl who I always knew would do something important in this world, and by having these types of meetings and her foundation we feel like she is. She is still making a difference.”
Editor’s Note: Barbara Polichetti is a Cranston resident, freelance writer and frequent contributor to the Cranston Herald and Johnston Sun Rise.
For more information on the Tori Lynn Andreozzi Foundation, visit https://torilynnfoundation.org. For more information on the Regional Prevention Coalition, visit https://www.tricountyri.org/services/regional-prevention-coalition/.
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