Nashville, TN — As the calendar turns to a new year, many Tennesseans reflect on their personal milestones, but for Kathy Kilgore Beeler, the beginning of each year is marked by an agonizing reminder of the day her life was forever changed. Thirteen years ago, her son, Cole, became one of the countless victims of an impaired driving tragedy.
On June 4, 2011, Cole Kilgore, then 19, was a passenger in a truck traveling north on Highway 47 in Dickson County. The driver of the vehicle, who had a blood alcohol content of .144—almost double the legal limit—lost control of the truck. The vehicle slid into a guardrail, and the crash resulted in an explosion. The driver died at the scene, but Cole, despite being ejected from the vehicle, survived for 10 hours before succumbing to his injuries.
Kathy Kilgore Beeler still vividly remembers that fateful night. “What I saw and heard and smelled that night is imprinted on my brain,” she said. The collision was devastating, with Cole being thrown from the truck before it came to a stop. A crash report later confirmed the severe nature of the accident, marking the spot where Cole’s body landed after being ejected.
The tragedy has haunted Kathy for over a decade, and she often reflects on the loss during the holiday season. “You don’t think it will ever happen to you, but it can, unfortunately,” she said. Her words are a sobering reminder of the widespread issue of impaired driving in Tennessee. According to data from the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security and the Tennessee Highway Patrol, one in three fatal crashes in the state involves a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Kathy’s story is not unique. Thousands of families in Tennessee and across the nation face similar heartbreak as a result of impaired driving. Despite years of awareness campaigns and laws aimed at curbing DUI offenses, the statistics remain troubling. In 2023 alone, there were 4,800 alcohol-related crashes in Tennessee, leading to 167 deaths and over 3,000 injuries, according to state data.
For Kathy, the pain of losing her son is compounded by the knowledge that the crash could have been prevented. “I never want this to happen to you,” she said. “If my story can prevent just one more person from getting behind the wheel drunk, then I’ll feel like something good came out of all this.”
As Tennessee enters the new year, law enforcement officials and safety advocates continue to stress the importance of responsible driving. With the rise in New Year’s Eve celebrations, the risk of impaired driving increases. The Tennessee Highway Patrol, in particular, has ramped up efforts to combat drunk driving, including sobriety checkpoints and targeted DUI enforcement campaigns.
Kathy’s message to drivers is clear: “Think about the families that will be forever changed by a decision you make in just a few moments. Don’t let a celebration become a tragedy.”
Her story serves as a powerful reminder that the consequences of impaired driving extend far beyond the crash itself, leaving a lasting emotional toll on families and communities. As Kathy continues to cope with the loss of her son, she remains committed to spreading awareness, hoping that others will learn from her family’s pain and make the responsible choice behind the wheel.
In a season marked by new beginnings, Kathy Kilgore Beeler’s plea is simple: don’t let a bad decision define your future, or the future of someone else’s family.
