Karen Mapleson Torres

Patrick Mapleson

On March 17, 2006, Karen Torres received a phone call that changed her life. Her father, Patrick Mapleson, was struck and killed by a distracted driver while working along the highway.

Karen has been heavily involved with this issue since 2009. Karen has shared her father’s tragic death with thousands of students and adults during driver's education classes, school assemblies, peer leadership programs, church groups, rotary clubs and corporate organizations.

In July 2013, Karen was asked by Governor Cuomo to speak alongside him at a No Texting While Driving press conference. Karen delivered the keynote address at the 2013 Dangerous Driving Conference at Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood, NY, the 2016 NYS Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association in Verona, NY, and the 2016 Traffic Safety Annual Training Conference in Albuquerque, NM.

In April 2014, Karen was the recipient of News 12's "12 Making a Difference," she was featured on WABC news special “Operation 7 – Save a Life,” ABC News' "Viewpoint Long Island" and on Fios News One “Heroes on Our Island.” Karen has taken her message beyond New York, speaking in New Jersey, Connecticut, Vermont, Texas, Chicago and New Mexico.

Karen is a speaker for The National Safety Council and the New York Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. Karen has volunteered for the New York State Department of Transportation by participating in a public service announcement for a statewide roadway safety campaign. Karen’s advocacy has been featured in various newspapers, magazines and roadway safety campaigns.

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