On December 1, 2010, 2-year-old Calli Ann Murray and her mother Ling were walking home from a park just blocks from their home. As they crossed the street in a crosswalk, holding hands, a young driver who was 18-year-old freshman volleyball player at Sonoma State University was texting on her cell phone. She struck Calli and Ling, killing Calli instantly, and critically injuring Ling.
Calli was an intelligent child, who about 4 months earlier asked her mom if she could go to school. Ling responded, not until you know your A B C’s and your numbers. Calli proceeded to recite the alphabet in English and Chinese and did the same with her numbers.
Calli was a joy to be with and enjoyed life very much. She was a special child, and even her name had a significant meaning.The name itself, C-A-L-L-I:C-A stood for Chinese American, L for created in love, and L-I was her mother Ling’s maiden name.
The family has established the Calli Ann Memorial Foundation and have worked to change texting while driving laws in California.
Calli is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Faces of Distracted Driving” series. View the video below.
