A Jacksonville, FL, woman has officially created National Motorcycle Awareness Day to honor her son’s late friend who died in a motorcycle accident at only 19. 

As News 4 Jax reports, Brittainy Stalvey coined the day after losing Jaden Rosario on Nov. 12, 2022. Rosario died in a crash near Jacksonville Beach after a driver failed to yield at a yellow light. The teen was training to be a firefighter and the time. 

Stalvey was one of the first people to learn of Rosario’s death, which she said devastated her son. 

“I obviously was stunned and upset,” she remembered. “But I was more concerned about my son because my son was already on the way to the hospital. And I was told that he had passed, but my son didn’t know, and they were attached to him. They were inseparable.”

National Motorcycle Awareness Day Founder Hopes to Further Her Efforts 

In an effort to save others from suffering the same tragedy, Stalvey founded National Motorcycle Awareness Day to teach drivers about motorcycle safety and remind them to be aware of the motorcyclists around them. Stalvey also hopes to discourage people from texting while driving. The day is recognized each Nov. 12. 

“I would just like the community to be aware of, especially today but every day forward to just put your phone down, don’t text, and drive,” Stalvey said. “Yield at yellow lights. Take a second look at motorcyclists. Pay attention when you’re on the road.”

After this year’s inaugural National Motorcycle Awareness Day, Stalvey hopes to further her efforts. One day, she plans on hosting fundraisers, such as yearly motorcycle rides, 5ks, and more that will help cover hospital bills and funeral costs of people who are involved in accidents similar to Jaden’s. 

“Just checking twice and being vigilant can help save the lives of motorcyclists,” she continued. “More injuries happen from other drivers than from the [bikers] themselves.”