MADD warns drivers of deadly DWI holidays

In March 2015 police say Jose Fierro Perez was killed by a drunk driver.

“It happened two and a half years ago and it’s still hard to get up everyday to this day,” said Rocio Fierro Perez.

Perez’ sisters Rocio and Rebecca have now become a voice against drunk driving.

Perez was 24 when he died.

“I’m never going to be able to get him back or talk to him. He didn’t deserve this. No one deserves this but he was responsible, he was caring, he was in the Marines, he was about to start a family,” Perez said.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, from 2012 to 2016, more than 800 people died nationwide in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday — making it the deadliest holiday on our roads.

“You don’t realize how much it impacts you till it does,” Perez said.

Perez tells ABC-7 the consequences of drunk driving do not only affect victims and drivers.

“We all make bad decisions but don’t let this be a bad decision because it affects everyone. It doesn’t just affect the driver or the victim it affects families and their relationships with their families it keeps going,” Perez said.

Perez along with Mothers Against Drunk Driving said what’s even more overwhelming is that tragedies like this are 100 percent preventable.

“Don’t think that it can’t happen to you because it will happen. Two out of three people are affected by drinking and driving and I hope that it’s not you,” Perez said.

MADD reports there are more than 10,000 DWI related deaths a year. That’s about 29 people a day or 1 person every 50 minutes.