Tragedy Leads To Tipsy Taxi

WAITSBURG - Shannon Elliot was living a typical American lifestyle. She worked two jobs to make ends meet and spent her free time with friends and family.

She enjoyed NASCAR races with her father, playtime with her nieces and nephews, and high school pillow talk with her sisters.

In high school, Shannon played volleyball in Waitsburg, couldn't get enough of softball, and she was a cheerleader. Her friends enjoyed her carefree, loving personality and huge smile. She was the All-American girl.

Then one night, she made a choice that people make all too often - she got behind the wheel after having too much to drink.

Shannon died in an automobile accident, killed instantly when her Toyota pickup collided with a logging truck, then burst into flames, on Highway 12 as she headed home from Walla Walla. December 18, 2009, is a day that changed the Elliot household forever.

Shannon's mother, Ruthy Elliot, spends one evening a month at a victims panel, where she shares family photos of Shannon growing up and tells the story of who she was and how she is remembered. She also shares pictures of the tragic night, photos of Shannon's burnt and crushed truck, and tells of the heartbreak felt when the family opened the door of their home and were greeted by the county coroner.

The loss of Shannon is fresh in the hearts of her family, but they have chosen to work through their anguish by helping others make better choices when it comes to drinking and driving.

The family is raising funds to help start a "tipsy taxi"-style driving service that would be available for people who live in rural areas as well as the city.

Last year, on Shannon's April 24 birthday, the family organized a spaghetti feed to raise money for their project. On Sunday, they had carnival games at Fort Walla Walla with raffles for restaurant gift certificates and crafts. The family plans to continue organizing these types of fundraisers each year on Shannon's birthday.

Details about how the taxi service will work are still being fine tuned. If anyone has questions, ideas, or would like to make a contribution, contact Ruthy Elliot at (509) 386-6057.