An Impaired Driver Killed Her Husband and Daughter
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| Pam O'Donnell on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast. |
It was a day like any other for Pam O'Donnell until her world shattered on February 22, 2016. Her husband, Timothy, and their five-year-old daughter, Bridget, were killed in a horrific collision caused by an impaired driver. Since that day, Pam has been on a mission to raise awareness and advocate for tougher laws against impaired and distracted driving.
You can listen to the interview with Pam O'Donnell as a podcast in the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast.
In a collision that forever changed her life, Timothy O’Donnell was driving southbound on the New Jersey Turnpike extension, near Interchange 14C in Jersey City. He had stopped at a toll booth, with Bridget safely buckled in the backseat, when their car was suddenly rear-ended by a reckless driver exiting the Holland Tunnel. The other driver that was responsible, was impaired and speeding through a 5-mph zone at over 50 mph.
The impact was catastrophic. The O'Donnell family car was thrust into oncoming traffic, colliding with a private ambulance. Timothy, a beloved science teacher, was pronounced dead at the scene, while young Bridget succumbed to her injuries en route to the hospital.
Pam learned of the tragedy in a call no parent or spouse should ever receive. The loss was unfathomable, but even as she struggled with her grief, she knew she had to fight back—fight for the memory of her husband and daughter, and for the safety of others on the road.
In an emotional interview, Pam recounted the moments she learned of the crash and the unimaginable grief that followed. "Tim was everything to me. If there's such a thing as a perfect marriage, we had it. Bridget was my joy, my little caregiver," she shared. Two years before the crash, Pam battled cancer, and it was Bridget, just three years old at the time, who would wake every two hours to make sure her mother took her medication. "She was compassionate beyond her years," Pam said, her voice trembling with a mix of pride and sadness.
But out of this devastation, Pam found her purpose. She founded the O’Donnell Foundation, dedicated to educating the public on the dangers of impaired and distracted driving. She now works closely with law enforcement, educating police officers on the devastating effects of these behaviors and advocating for stricter laws to protect families like hers from similar tragedies.
Her journey has not been easy. In May 2019, the impaired driver was sentenced to 37 years and one day in prison for aggravated manslaughter, vehicular homicide, and drug possession. Despite his repeated attempts to challenge his conviction, Pam remains focused on ensuring justice is served, not just for her family but for the many other victims of impaired drivers.
"I refuse to let Tim and Bridget’s deaths be in vain," Pam said, her voice full of resolve. "There are too many people out there who still think it’s okay to drive after drinking or using drugs, or even while texting. It has to stop. We have to do better."
The problem, she explains, isn’t just with impaired drivers but also with distracted driving, which has become a growing concern in the era of smartphones. "People don’t realize how dangerous it is to take their eyes off the road for just a second. That second can be the difference between life and death," she said.
Pam’s work as an advocate has gained significant attention. She has spoken at numerous conferences, worked with police departments across the state, and has become a vocal advocate for policies that could prevent future tragedies. Her foundation raises funds for educational campaigns and supports families who have experienced similar losses.
"There’s a ripple effect," Pam explained. "When a person drives impaired or distracted, they aren’t just putting their own life at risk—they’re putting families, children, entire communities in danger."
Pam’s work has inspired many, and her story serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of impaired and distracted driving. She continues to push for stronger penalties for repeat offenders, believing that the justice system must do more to prevent habitual offenders like Hahn from endangering lives.
"How many chances do they get?" Pam asked, her frustration evident. Hahn had multiple prior offenses for driving under the influence, yet he was still on the road that day in 2016, leading to the deaths of her husband and daughter. "We need laws that make sure people like him don’t get another chance to destroy lives."
Her advocacy extends beyond punishment, however. Pam is committed to prevention. She works closely with local schools, speaking to students about the importance of responsible driving, hoping to instill a sense of responsibility and awareness in young drivers before they get behind the wheel.
Pam's courage and determination have turned a personal tragedy into a mission that could save lives. While she will always carry the loss of her husband and daughter, her efforts are ensuring that their memory leads to a safer future for others.
"Every time I speak, I see the faces in the audience," she said. "Some are young, some are parents, but I know they’re listening. And if just one person makes a different choice, then I’ve done something worthwhile."
Pam O’Donnell’s story is one of unimaginable grief, but also of hope, resilience, and a relentless commitment to change. She will not stop fighting until the roads are safer for all. And though Tim and Bridget are no longer with her, their legacy lives on in every life she touches, every law she helps shape, and every person she inspires to think twice before making a dangerous choice behind the wheel.
The interview with Pam O'Donnell is available as a free podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most major podcast platforms. Stay updated about this story and many others simply by following us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and most all social media platforms.
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