Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller Joins 2026 Maryland Remembers Ceremony

Lieutenant Governor Aruna K. Miller joined state officials, transportation leaders, law enforcement, safety advocates and families who have lost loved ones for the 23rd Annual Maryland Remembers ceremony. The annual event is held to honor of the individuals killed in traffic crashes on Maryland roadways and brings together families and those dedicated to roadway safety to remember their loved ones. 

"When we talk about lives lost on Maryland's roads, we are talking about parents, children, siblings, friends and neighbors whose absence leaves a space that can never be filled," said Lt. Governor Miller. "Today is about remembering who they were, honoring the love their families carry for them and making sure their stories are never forgotten. We owe it to every Maryland family to keep working toward a future where no one has to experience this kind of loss." 

The ceremony in Towson included Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Katie Thomson, Maryland Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer, who also serves as Governor Wes Moore's Highway Safety Representative, Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Michael Jackson, and representatives from the Maryland Highway Safety Office, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), law enforcement agencies and highway safety organizations from across the state. 

 During the ceremonial procession, the names of those killed in traffic crashes were read aloud and family members placed framed photographs at the front of the room in a powerful visual tribute to the lives lost and the families forever changed.

So far this year, 384 people have lost their lives in crashes on Maryland roadways. The Moore-Miller Administration remains committed to Maryland's goal of zero roadway fatalities and serious injuries through continued investments in education, enforcement and safer transportation infrastructure. 

“Maryland is Serious About Safety, and every crash has consequences that extend far beyond the roadway,” said Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Katie Thomson. "This annual event is a solemn reminder of the work we have ahead of us as we remain committed to working with our partners across the state to prevent all fatal crashes and make our roads safe for everyone." 

"Maryland Remembers is one of the most meaningful events we hold each year because it gives us an opportunity to recognize the people behind the statistics," said Administrator Nizer. "For the families here today, their loved ones are so much more than a number. They are people who lived lives of impact and who are deeply missed. We are honored that these families continue to share their loved ones with us, and we want them to know that they have not been forgotten."

Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Michael Jackson emphasized the importance of continued enforcement efforts to prevent dangerous driving behaviors. 

“Our troopers see firsthand the devastating consequences of dangerous decisions on our roadways," said Colonel Michael A. Jackson, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police. "Whether it's impaired driving, excessive speed or distracted driving, these are risks that can have irreversible consequences. We will continue working alongside our law enforcement and highway safety partners to hold dangerous drivers accountable and prevent more families from experiencing the heartbreak we recognize here today."  

This year's victim impact speakers, Ebbony and Raymond Jackson, shared the story of their son, Khyree, who was killed alongside his friends Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton Jr. in a crash in Prince George’s County caused by an impaired driver in July 2024. Just 24 years old, Khyree was preparing to begin his professional football career with the Minnesota Vikings and was weeks away from reporting to his first NFL training camp. The Jacksons shared memories of their son and the profound loss their family continues to experience.

During the ceremony, Administrator Nizer, joined by the family of the late Kevin E. Quinlan, presented the 2026 Kevin E. Quinlan Memorial Award to Gray Barton, Executive Director of Problem-Solving Courts for the State of Maryland. The award recognizes individuals whose leadership and dedication to highway safety reflect Quinlan's nearly four decades of work to prevent traffic deaths and injuries. 

Barton has worked at the intersection of criminal justice, substance use treatment and public safety for more than two decades. His work has helped strengthen Maryland's approach to impaired driving through programs that emphasize treatment, accountability and rehabilitation. Today, as Executive Director of Problem-Solving Courts, he draws on that experience to address the underlying causes of criminal behavior and help individuals make lasting, positive changes in their lives.

The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration's Highway Safety Office works with law enforcement agencies, community organizations and safety advocates to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries through education, outreach and enforcement initiatives. As the holiday season approaches, Marylanders are reminded to plan ahead for a sober ride, avoid distractions, obey speed limits and buckle up on every trip. 

To learn more about the Maryland Highway Safety Office and the Zero Deaths Maryland initiative, visit ZeroDeathsMD.gov or follow @ZeroDeathsMD on Facebook, X and Instagram.

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