Kaylah Smith is fighting to change the law in New Jersey after her 8-year-old son, Javier Velez, was killed by a drunken driver in 2023. The driver, Edward Johnston, took a plea deal that will have him serving 15 years in prison for Javier’s death. Smith has a tattoo of her son’s face on her arm and continues to mourn his loss every day.

Johnston was driving intoxicated at 107 miles an hour when he crashed into a parked car where Javier was sleeping during a fishing trip with his father and brother. Javier was taken to a nearby hospital but died from his injuries. The family is advocating for “Javi’s Law,” which would keep a driver in jail immediately without bail for being under the influence and killing someone, a provision that did not apply to Johnston.

Smith is determined to ensure that her son is never forgotten and is committed to raising awareness about Javier’s story. The family’s efforts have led to the proposed legislation known as “Javi’s Law” making its way through the legislature and potentially reaching the Governor’s desk soon.