Louisville mother pushes for distracted-driving law changes after daughter died in 2022 I-71 crash

A Louisville woman who lost her daughter in a 2022 car accident on Interstate 71 says she has spent almost four years trying to change Kentucky’s approach to distracted driving through state-level advocacy.

According to WAVE, Camberleigh died in the crash on I-71 in 2022, and her mother has since focused on strengthening distracted-driving laws. In remarks connected to her campaign, she said, “Her story can change the hearts of people,” describing her effort as a way to push for safer roads after a family tragedy.

The WAVE report said the mother is working to raise awareness about distracted driving and to encourage legislative action in Frankfort. The push is centered on the idea that attention to phones and other distractions behind the wheel can have fatal consequences, and that state policies should reflect the risks that families across Kentucky see firsthand.

WAVE also reported that the mother’s efforts are timed to public discussion and policy conversations at the state level, where Kentucky lawmakers consider changes to traffic enforcement and penalties. While the outlet did not detail specific bill language in the summary provided, the thrust of her message is that Kentucky should treat distracted driving as a public safety priority and respond with clearer, enforceable standards.

Distracted driving has long been a recurring safety issue in state transportation planning, and the mother’s story places that question in the context of a specific crash and family loss. Her advocacy underscores how crash data and enforcement practices can translate into real outcomes for communities, including families who rely on interstate highways such as I-71 to move to work, school, and medical appointments.

The WAVE story frames the mother’s campaign as both personal and policy-focused, aimed at influencing how Kentucky addresses driver distractions. By sharing her daughter’s death and calling for lawmakers to consider changes, she is seeking a shift that could affect how officers respond to distracted driving and how courts ultimately handle cases involving distraction.

As of August 19, 2026, the WAVE report indicates the family’s advocacy continues, with the mother seeking legislative action in Kentucky to reduce distracted driving risks going forward.