ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Parents who have lost their children after they crashed into improperly installed guardrails are seeking change across the county.
“We want them fixed, and we want them fixed correctly,” said Christy DeFilippo, whose son Hunter, died after crashing into a guardrail. The guardrail, they later found out, was improperly installed.
“I can’t say that the guardrail would have saved Hunter. But what I do know now, is that the guardrail failed miserably," she added.
The DeFilippos first shared their story with us back in February.
Their story led to major changes on Florida roads.
“This all happened in less than one year since we found out about guardrails. How incredible is this?" DeFilippo said.
A Florida Department of Transportation spokesperson says by the end of next week all guardrails on Florida roads will be fixed correctly.
“Truly, I said in the very beginning, if we could save one set of parents from having to walk this out,” DeFilippo added.
But the DeFilippos say they aren’t stopping with the state of Florida. They believe even more change is needed nationwide.
In this letter to the Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Defillippos, and other families who have lost loved ones after crashing into improperly installed guardrails, are asking for federal guidance to communities across the country. The changes would include:
- Any part which must be installed directionally to be clearly marked with on-product directional arrows/ warnings
- Any bolt with special material features, specific length, install direction, install method (not through rail), or on the leading/trailing position to be color-coded
They also recommend a comprehensive inspection and certification process.
“I'm praying that this also brings more light to the other states too,” DeFilippo said.
10 Investigates has seen other states implement statewide reviews of their guardrail systems, but Florida has been the first so far to announce a complete fix of every guardrail that did not pass their inspection. We have also seen some companies take it upon themselves to attach right-way-up stickers themselves.