USM’s Moffitt Health Center Hosting Stay Alive and Drive Event
Mon, 04/24/2023 - 09:24am | By: Van Arnold
A distracted driver altered the course of Caleb Crabtree’s life in a flash. On Thursday,
April 27 the former Hattiesburg Police Officer will share details of that fateful
accident during a special Stay Alive and Drive event hosted by Moffitt Health Center at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM).
The presentation is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Thad Cochran Center (Room 216) on USM’s Hattiesburg campus. The event is free and open to the public.
Crabtree and his former K-9 partner, Ruka, were both severely injured in the accident that involved a driver who was texting. Crabtree is now disabled due to a brain injury suffered in the crash.
Melanie Blanton, nurse educator at Moffitt Health Center, heard about Crabtree’s story through a mutual friend. She hopes the power of his message will resonate with USM students.
“I know how tempting it is for anyone to become distracted while driving. It’s so easy to think, ‘I’ll just send this one short text.’ I’ve seen how quickly that one text can change someone’s life,” said Blanton. “Our goal for this event and all our health education is to educate our Golden Eagles to stay healthy so that when they leave the University they can live full, healthy and successful lives.”
Please visit the Moffitt Health Center website to learn more or call 601.266.5390.