On November 4, 2024, Mitchell was struck and killed by a driver who admitted to being on the phone. Despite this, no phone records were obtained. No tox screen was performed. No charges were filed. The Sterling family was left with heartbreak — and no justice.
OUR MISSION
Honor Mitchell.
End Distracted Driving.
The Mitchell Sterling Foundation was created to honor the life of Mitchell Sterling and ensure that no other family endures the pain of losing a child to a distracted driver.
Our mission is simple and urgent:
TO END DISTRACTED DRIVING THROUGH AWARENESS, ADVOCACY, AND ACTION.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Mitchell’s story is tragically not unique
The challenge we’re facing
Distracted driving is a national epidemic hiding in plain sight.
More than 3,000 people in the US were killed and over 300,000 injured in distracted driving crashes in 2023 alone1 — equal to nearly nine deaths and 890 injuries every day.2
Despite passing a no-touch phone law in Indiana in 20203, Indiana highway fatalities increased from 897 in 2020 to 949 in 2022.4
There is a 69% year over year increase nationally in distracted driving.5
In 2024 alone, distracted driving contributed to 17,000+ crashes and 230 deaths.6
Yet today, Indiana does not require phone data recovery or tox screens in fatal crashes. This legal gap allows key evidence to be missed, and accountability to vanish.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drugs other than alcohol are involved in about 18% of motor vehicle crashes.7
Ignoring this aspect of driver impairment not only endangers public safety but also undermines the pursuit of justice for victims and their families.
Drivers under the influence of drugs can appear calm or “normal” while their reaction time, judgment, and attention are severely impaired.
That is why requiring mandatory toxicology screening when there is a fatality or serious bodily injury is necessary.
1. Distracted Driving. (n.d.). NHTSA. https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving 2. Nearly 9 Deaths and 890 Injuries Every Day: The Hidden Toll of Distracted Driving in 2025. Jul 31, 2025. PR Newswire. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nearly-9-deaths-and-890-injuries-every-day-the-hidden-toll-of-distracted-driving-in-2025-302518091.html 3. WHAT ARE 'NO TOUCH' LAWS AND WHICH STATES BAN BEING ON YOUR PHONE WHILE DRIVING?. (n.d.). Travel Noire. https://travelnoire.com/no-touch-laws 4. Indiana Triennial Highway Safety Plan. (n.d.). Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. https://www.in.gov/cji/traffic-safety/files/FY24-INDIANA-HSP.pdf 5. New data shows distracted driving up 68.8% and the cause of 3,275 annual deaths. August 11, 2025. Repairer Driven News. https://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2025/08/11/new-data-shows-distracted-driving-up-68-8-and-the-cause-of-3275-annual-deaths/ 6. Indiana State Police ramp up distracted driving and speeding patrols. Apr 09, 2025. WRTV. https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/indiana-state-police-ramp-up-distracted-driving-and-speeding-patrols 7. Drugged Driving DrugFacts. (n.d.). National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/drugged-driving
We believe every fatal crash deserves a full investigation. Families deserve answers. Victims deserve justice.
How We Take Action
The foundation is built on three strategic pillars:
Awareness
Through campaigns like “2 Eyes. 2 Hands.”, we educate drivers — especially young ones — about the irreversible consequences of distracted driving.
Advocacy
We are fighting to pass Mitchell’s Law, which would make phone data review and tox screening mandatory in fatal or serious-injury crashes.
Action
From launching a national petition to funding youth-led safe driving programs, we are building momentum for lasting change — one signature, story, and student at a time.
Join the Mission
Whether you're a parent, student, policymaker, or simply a driver — you can help.
- Sign the Petition to demand legislative change.
- Share Mitchell’s story to raise awareness.
Because presence on the road is a choice. And so is change.