ST. MARTINVILLE — A family in St. Martinville is hoping to raise awareness after a recent tragedy.
Phillip Dauterive, also known as "Poppa," would be celebrating his tenth birthday on Monday, October 7.
"He was always happy. He was carefree. He was loving and kind," says Kimberly Dauterive, Phillip's mother.
Tragically, Phillip's life was cut short after a driver crashed into the vehicle he was riding in.
"Evidently, there was a driver that was distracted and didn't realize that the vehicle in front of him had stopped and was waiting to turn," Kimberly explains.
On Sunday, October 6, the family hosted a fundraiser to celebrate the launch of The Phillip "Poppa" Dauterive III Foundation.
The family says the the foundation will provide scholarships for children and raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.
"We were fortunate enough to send our kids to private school, and there's a lot of kids out there now that are doing really well in school but don't have the resources to go to private school," says Phillip Dauterive, Jr., Phillip's father.
They're also hoping it will help foster good relationships between parents and their children, like the relationship Phillip had with his parents.
"I can't imagine going through life without him, and this is our way of making sure his name lives on and what he lived by lives on," says Kimberly. "I want people to truly live the 'Poppa way.' I want them to live freely, to love freely, to forgive easily."
His father adds, "I just miss him, but I know he's shining down on us right now and showing the love."
All proceeds raised at today's event will go to the foundation.
Donations to the foundation can be made at their website at https://www.pd3foundation.org/
