PADUCAH, Ky. — Hillary Coltharp was a successful hairstylist prior to her crash that would change the course of her and her family’s life forever.

She’s hoping her story can help people understand the dangers of distracted driving.

What You Need To Know

  • April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

  • Hillary Coltharp suffered a brain injury because of a crash. She lost control of her car after she had been texting

  • Hillary and her mother, Shawn Coltharp, hope that by sharing Hillary’s story, people will learn from it

  • Since distracted driving is under-reported, the data that has been gathered on crashes because of it may be much lower than what it actually is

“Don’t text while you’re driving, keep your eyes on the road,” Hillary stressed. “Don’t look down at your phone, keep them on the road.”

On Sept. 1, 2007, just a few weeks before her 28th birthday, Hillary was on her way to meet with her family for dinner between Paducah and Kentucky Lake. Hillary’s mother, Shawn, said while Hillary was driving she lost control of her car on the highway. She had been texting while driving.

“She ended up rolling in her convertible at least three times and shot out of the car,” said Shawn.

At the scene, police thought Hillary had died. Once at the hospital, nurses were unsure if she’d survive.

“We actually thought she wouldn’t make it,” said Shawn. “The only thing I can remember is telling her that, you know, we loved her... and that Max loved her and needed her and a little tear went down her eye, and that was it. I mean, we just thought, ‘This is it, she’s… she’s gone.’”

Despite having a serious brain injury, Hillary made it through after multiple surgeries. 

Shawn says that Hillary has been a fighter throughout her recovery process, but a lot about her has changed.

“Our oldest daughter said the perfect analogy of Hillary,” said Shawn. “She is eight, 18, and 80, all wrapped up in one…. one person.”

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has been running campaigns throughout the month to educate the public.

“It’s going to take an all the above campaign or methodology to attack it,” said Bill Bell, the executive director at KYTC.

Gathering data on distracted driving can be a challenge, though.

“I think distracted driving and related crashes are probably the most under-reported piece of data we have because we show it’s 8 or 9% of the total,” said Bell. “I think it could be as high as 15-20% of our total.”

With the prevalence of distracted driving, Hillary hopes people can learn from her story.

“Every adult knows not to be intoxicated when you drive,” said Hillary. “One of the words… one of the sayings, I really think I should have copyrighted it, is don’t be ‘in-texticated’ either.”

Hillary has spoken to kids at schools to try to spread that message.

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