Marisa Catronio and Kaitlyn Ferrante
By: Sharon Aron Baron
This month marks one year since two Coral Springs women were killed in a wrong-way crash on the Sawgrass Expressway that sent their families and the community in mourning for them.
Last November 17, at 1:45 a.m. Marisa Catronio and Kaitlyn Ferrante, 21, were driving on the Sawgrass expressway towards the Coral Ridge Drive exit when Kayla Mendoza, 20, drove the wrong way through an exit ramp causing a head-on collision that killed them both. Mendoza survived.
Shortly after, while still grieving, her family created Marisa’s Way to make sure their lost lives led to greater highway safety.
New signs that light up and notify FHP if someone is approaching the exit ramps the wrong way.
Marisa’s way is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that seeks to have a bill introduced through the Florida Legislature that will focus on creating more entrance ramp awareness, along with physical devices to alert wrong-way drivers.
On November 1, Gary Catronio and Christine Ferrante, along with their families, held an event educating the public about the new wrong way detection system on the Sawgrass Expressway’s off-ramps that lights up when wrong-way drivers approach as well as alert FHP.
“As we approach the first anniversary of this tragic accident, we are reminded how fragile life is,” said Chief of Police Tony Pustizzi. “The Coral Springs Police encourage residents always to practice responsible driving. Please do not text and drive, and never drive while intoxicated,”
In memory of Marisa and Kaitlyn, the City of Coral Springs will presenting a “Responsible Driving Awareness Month” proclamation to their families at the City Commission meeting held on November 5.
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