Puyallup mom takes action against street racing after death of her sister

One young Puyallup mother is taking action against the issue of street racing in the community following a tragic loss in her own family.

Serena Heustis is working to bring about change and said she recently created a petition on change.org in an effort to put an end to illegal street racing.

In November, her 19-year-old sister, Kenna Heustis, was hit by a car at a street racing meet-up. Kenna went to the hospital but she didn't survive. Another woman was also killed. 

Kenna Heustis

"I don’t want anyone to have to go through that," said Heustis.

It’s an issue getting a lot of attention in Pierce County. This week, the city of Fife passed an emergency ordinance in an effort to crack down on street racing. Under the new law, a repeat offender’s car could be impounded for upward of a month.

Puyallup has also passed new laws this year focusing on street racing. The Tacoma City Council is looking to pass a new law next week, could mean jail time, a fine of up to $1000, or both for street racing.

RELATED: Tacoma to crack down on street racing with proposed law

Heustis said these efforts are good steps forward, but she wants to see statewide laws in place. For her, this cause is personal.

"I want to make her story known, and I want people to be aware of the dangers and understand that this isn't just kids having fun. Like, this is risky, and people get hurt. People lose their lives," said Heustis.

She said she still sees posts on social media of people doing the same things that killed her sister.  Her hope is that sharing Kenna’s story will help make a change.

"if it just saves one person, I feel like that’s doing something," she said.

For more information on Serena’s petition click here.

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