Karen Li got the worst news of her life on Feb. 28, 2010. That was when she found out Sheriff’s Deputy Ken Collier, her fiancé, had been killed when his patrol car crashed as he pursued a drunk driver. In that moment, her life changed forever.
Now she is focused on trying to prevent drunk driving and trying to save lives with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
Since 2010, Li has formed a team in Collier’s memory for the Walk Like MADD 5K fundraiser, which benefits MADD educational programs. They include a victim advocate program to guide a victim’s family members through the legal process if requested and speakers who go to high schools to talk about the dangers of underage drinking.
“It’s a very preventable and avoidable crime but it continues to happen every year and the numbers are very high,” said Li, a San Diego deputy city attorney. “If we can save even one life, we could make a difference, and we hope we can save more lives.
“All people have to do is call a cab, call a friend, stay the night — but don’t pick up your keys. I think about that every night: If that person had just not picked up their keys, Ken would still be here today,” Li said.
The collision happened just after 3 a.m. on Highway 52 in Santee as Collier, 39, went after a drunk driver going the wrong way. The deputy, who was to be married to Li in a little more than 3 months, was killed when he crashed into a bridge abutment and the patrol vehicle rolled into a ravine. The drunk driver was stopped not far from there and was charged with felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter.
Last year, the event raised about $70,000. Li’s City Attorney’s Office-Sheriff’s Department team raised a little more than $11,000 of that with 110 team members. Li said they have raised a little more than $9,000 so far this year, and hope more will join “Ken Collier’s Crew and His Public Safety Family.”
In addition to raising money for a cause that is dear to her, she said it also is wonderful to see all the people who have supported her over the years and remember Collier with them at the walk.
“It honors him and keeps his memory alive,” said Li. “I remember and live with this every day. I remember him and I think of him, but that doesn’t happen every day for the rest of the world. His memory is alive that day (for the walk) and I definitely feel connected to him.”
More than 500 walkers are expected for the San Diego Walk Like MADD event which will be held from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, at NTC Park, 2455 Cushing Road in the Point Loma area. People can register online or in person the morning of the event to walk in honor of Collier or anyone they know who died or has been affected by an intoxicated driver, said James Duckworth, MADD walk manager. Donations can also be made online.
“Karen is one of our biggest supporters. She’s on our committee and her public safety family team is huge,” said Duckworth. “They are a big part of this event.”
Walk Like MADD honors everyone lost or injured in drunk or drugged driving crashes, releasing doves in their memory, and then asks participants to celebrate those lives, he said.
“There is a victim tribute area, and it’s a positive experience while we are remembering the victims lost or injured,” Li said. “I always leave there feeling better.”
The event features live music, food, kid and teen zones, and a law enforcement relay event after the walk.
