On the eve of what would have been Kimberly Smith Ames 45th birthday, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer has announced that the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, in conjunction with the Ocean County Traffic Safety Officer’s Association, is re-launching a Driving While Intoxicated awareness campaign featuring the former Beachwood resident.
Kimberly Smith Ames was a 23-year-old newlywed, three months pregnant with her first child when she was tragically killed by a drunk driver on October 7, 1998, in her hometown of Beachwood.
In the aftermath of her tragic death, Kimberly Smith Ames photo became part of a state-wide DWI awareness campaign featuring billboards and signs posted in local stores.
Prosecutor Billhimer is proud to re-introduce Kimberly Smith Ames and her story to a new generation.
The new billboards were created by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office in conjunction with the Ocean County Traffic Safety Officer’s Association and the Smith family. The billboards will be placed throughout Ocean County.
Tomorrow, July 28, would have been Kimberly’s 45th birthday and her unborn child would have been 21 years old.
“It was my honor to reconnect with the Smith family and to have their full support with the re-launching of this campaign. I hope that people will see Kimberly’s face and think twice about getting behind the wheel when they are impaired,” Prosecutor Billhimer said. “Educating new drivers and the general public about the dangers of impaired driving is always a priority."
The Ocean County Traffic Safety Officer’s Association presents the Kimberly Smith Ames DWI Prevention Award every year to a police officer that proactively enforces DWI laws in Ocean County.
The purpose of this award is to increase public awareness of the commitment and determination dedicated by police officers within Ocean County towards the education and prevention of Driving While Intoxicated offenses and acknowledging officers who have demonstrated such commitment.