Couple Promotes Texting While Driving Safety Device After Losing Daughter in Crash

By Charles Bassett, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A Texas couple who lost their daughter in an accident is in Oklahoma City promoting a new device to help prevent teens from texting while driving.

Jeanne and Johnny Brown of Wellman, Texas, lost their daughter Alex last November.

"She was always happy, she loved to help people. She loved to love people," said Jeanne Brown.

Alex Brown, 17, died after rolling her truck while driving to school. After an investigation, it was learned that she had been texting prior to the crash, a danger her parents had warned her about.

"I said you better not be texting and driving and she said 'It's okay Dad, I'm not.' She was. It was obvious she was always doing it," said Johnny Brown.

The Browns are now helping to get the word about a new product called "Get Home Safe." You simply download the software and plug the device into your vehicle's on board diagnostic system. The device can be programmed to recognize your child's phone and it can disable the phone's texting service while the car is operating.

"This automatically sends a bluetooth signal to that phone that disables it. It won't turn it off, it just blocks texting," said Jeanne.

The device prevents you from getting or receiving text messages while the vehicle is operating. The device will also send parents a text message if the child attempts to tamper with it.

Learn more about the Get Home Safe device.

The device costs about $99. The Browns say it's a small price to pay to save your child's life.

"Man, $100 and you get to keep your kid. That is awesome," said Jeanne.

The couple was also in town to push state lawmakers to pass stronger anti-texting legislation. They are taking their message national. They left Oklahoma City for Chicago to appear on Oprah.