Megan Petersen And Family Donate Car To Reach Others

Walking up to the Montana Beer Festival a few Friday evenings ago I saw a familiar white Grand Am that I hadn't seen in a very long time.  It wasn't in the condition I last saw it, but it did have the the spirit that I had known to associate with it, hesitant joy.  The white Grand Am was a crushed and tangled mess.  The joy that Megan had and exuded wrapped the complete chaos that was left, making one hesitate before making the easy decision to drive after drinking.

Megan Petersen passed away last summer after the same white Grand Am swerved into on-coming traffic and was struck broadside.  Megan was an employee here at Townsquare Media, as was her mother and her father is currently.  Our Townsquare family was devastated with the news of Megan's passing.

Our concerns instantly went to Megan's parents, Rhonda and Dennis Mountford.  When a tragedy with the weight of one like this hits, it's impossible to know how anyone can begin to cope.  The Mountford's cope with love, and the hope that Megan's death could be used as a visual message that a simple decision can have serious repercussions.  Rhonda and Dennis donated the car to the DUI Task force to be used as a reminder, at events, of the choices that we make and those repercussions.  But it wasn't that easy.  There are logistics of all sorts that have to be taken into account.  I was first told this story by Megan's father, Dennis, shortly after the Beer Festival.  The Bozeman Daily Chronicle got the whole story.

Last fall, K.C. McLaughlin, a citizen volunteer for the Gallatin County DUI Task Force, needed to call Mr. T’s Towing to help get her young daughter out of her car after the little girl accidentally locked herself in.

Through talking with Mr. T’s, McLaughlin was told they had a car in storage that had been involved in an alcohol-related crash. McLaughlin was put in touch with Cook and the two got to work, writing grants and soliciting help from the community in turning the car into an educational display.

Thank you to Rhonda and Dennis. You are amazing people whose strength inspires.

See pictures and full story via Bozeman Daily Chronicle.