Andrea's Project continues to combat underage drinking and driving

Brianna Maestas, Amarillo Globe-News
·3 min read

Andrea's Project is working to fight underage drinking and driving in the Amarillo area and across the state with the help of law enforcement agencies and community involvement.

This week, Andrea's Project held a parent talk at Tascosa High School with community members about underage drinking and drug use. Just a week before, on June 17, Andrea's Project, in co-operation with the owners of the Big Texan and Starlight Ranch, confiscated 13 fake IDs from underage teens trying to purchase alcohol at the Starlight Ranch before a concert.

More: TxDOT, Andrea's Project hold forum with parents on how to deal with underage drinking

"(Founder) David has been a longtime friend of the Big Texan, and we've been very blessed with good business, but we have a responsibility to make sure that people that are buying liquor are of age. ... This partnership was a no-brainer, and if we are going to benefit from any form of alcohol sales, you have a responsibility to those that you are serving. And this allowed us to show that and hopefully help prevent underage drinking," said Bobby Lee, co- owner of the Big Texan and Starlight Ranch.

Andrea's Project assisted Amarillo police in confiscating 13 fake IDs as a part of their mission to combat underage drinking and driving.
Andrea's Project assisted Amarillo police in confiscating 13 fake IDs as a part of their mission to combat underage drinking and driving.

Andrea's Project was founded by father David Elizalde on June 15, 2019, after losing his 17-year-old daughter Andrea Elizalde in a car crash on Easter of that year — April 21, 2019 — when a drunk driver lost control of their car.

Since his daughter's passing, Elizalde has worked in the Amarillo community partnering with local law enforcement and the Texas Department of Transportation to educate youth and parents of the dangers of underage drinking and driving, and minimize the number of DWIs across the state. The group has even installed memorial road signs in memory of individuals who have passed on Amarillo roadways due to drinking and driving.

Family and supporters stand next to the sign to memorialize Andrea Elizalde, located near the exit of Hastings along U.S. 287. The sign was placed by TxDOT in conjunction with the help of the Andrea's Project, a coalition to stop impaired driving and increase awareness.
Family and supporters stand next to the sign to memorialize Andrea Elizalde, located near the exit of Hastings along U.S. 287. The sign was placed by TxDOT in conjunction with the help of the Andrea's Project, a coalition to stop impaired driving and increase awareness.

"The goal here at TXDOT is to make our roads as safe as possible. One of the many ways we do that is working with our community partners like Andrea's Project to help raise awareness about the dangers with impaired driving and hopefully change behaviors. Drinking and driving is 100% preventable," said Sonja Gross, Public Information Officer for the TxDOT/Amarillo District.

A sign was placed near Soncy along the Interstate 40 eastbound service road with the help of Andrea's Project, a coalition to stop impaired driving.
A sign was placed near Soncy along the Interstate 40 eastbound service road with the help of Andrea's Project, a coalition to stop impaired driving.

Since the establishment of the campaign, Andrea's Project has focused on impacting the community with two slogans, "it's not okay" and "it's that easy", originally from words that Elizalde spoke himself: "It’s not OK to drink and drive; it’s not OK to not take care of your friends. ... It’s that easy to save a life."

In a previous Globe-News story, Elizalde said: “If I can save people from getting DWIs, save people’s lives in my daughter’s name, I think that I’ll have accomplished something big. ... I’m still emotionally unstable, but I don’t forget that my daughter needs me to do something for somebody. I know that everything I’m working toward will make a difference for my baby."

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Andrea's Project confiscates fake IDs in mission vs. drinking, driving