Heather Hurd 5K in Bel Air to Raise Awareness of Distracted Driving

When Harford Community College alumna Heather Hurd was en route to meet her wedding planner at Disney World, a distracted driver hit her in a crash that was ultimately fatal.

The tractor-trailer driver was texting his company at the time of the collision, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

“Our brains are not designed to drive and be on that cell phone at the same time,” Heather’s father, Russell Hurd of Abingdon, said in a public service announcement.

Related: ‘Our Lives Will Never be the Same for Something as Simple as a Text’ —Abingdon Dad

To raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, the Hurd family has sponsored a race in memory of Heather Hurd, who died in January 2008. The Heather L. Hurd 5K Walk/Run is now in its sixth year.

“Everyone across the country has a Heather in their life, someone that you love with all your heart,” he continued, “and we have to do all we can to protect them.”

This year’s race will take off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Susquehanna Center at Harford Community College, 401 Thomas Run Road, in Bel Air. Registration starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Get information on how to register. It costs $25 to participate for adults, $15 for Harford Community College students and staff and $15 for those under 18.

Screenshot of crash that killed Heather Hurd from YouTube video by U.S. Department of Transportation.