CHENANGO COUNTY – On March 17, 2006, Karen Torres received a phone call that would forever change her life. Her father, Patrick Mapleson, had been struck and killed by a distracted driver while woking along the highway. Since then, Torres has devoted her life to educating people about the very real dangers associated with distracted driving.

She will be taking her message to various Chenango County high schools this week including Afton and Greene on Monday, Dec. 5, and Norwich and Unadilla Valley on Tuesday, Dec. 6.