Matt was a senior at Florida State University, studying to be a Marine Biologist. Matt loved to live life. He studied hard and played hard. Matt made a significant research discovery while interning with NOAA that scientists believe will help save the coral reefs in our oceans. Matt was a handsome, bright, kind young man who had just begun to touch the world!

On December 21, 2006, someone made a choice to get into his car after spending the evening drinking. Twenty-one-year-old Matt was traveling to West Palm Beach with friends to do something he loved to do, SCUBA dive. They were stuck in traffic on I-95 when the drunk driver, going as fast as 90 MPH, crashed into the back of their car. Matt was riding in the backseat, wearing his seat belt. He suffered extensive brain injuries and was in a coma on life support for a week. On December 29, 2006, Matthew Beard tragically died from his injuries. This bright young man had so much more to give and this world has certainly lost because someone made the conscious choice to drink and drive. Matt’s life was taken from him and his mother was left with only memories of her son, her only child, because of a senseless, preventable and violent crime.

DRUNK DRIVING
It’s not an accident – it’s a crime
It’s not a mistake – it’s a choice
Be responsible, don’t be selfish