“Be That Parent”: Grieving Couple Urges You to Pick Your Kids Up from Prom After Daughter’s Tragic Death

Prom can be one of the biggest nights of a teen’s young-adult life. Between the sparkly dresses, limo rides, dinner with friends, and dancing ’til the sun comes up, the spring high school festivity is certainly a night to remember.

However, for Maddie Finch’s parents, their daughter’s prom in May of 2017 was a nightmare they’ll never forget.

Maddie, a vibrant cheerleader with eyes of blue and a heart of gold, was driving home from her after-prom on that fateful night when tragedy struck.

“She had been awake since like 7 a.m. [24] hours earlier so she was on her way home,” recalls her mom, Courtney Allmon. “She was very close to home and she fell asleep.”

The junior at New Berlin High School in New Berlin, Illinois was on her way to her dad’s house, Richard Finch, when she passed out at the wheel, crossing the median and ultimately colliding with a semi-truck.

Maddie’s bright future was cut short in a split-second, as she died upon impact.

“This is the best night of their lives before they leave for their lives you know their big careers,” said Courtney. “Be that parent that picks them up and says ‘Let’s go home and go to bed.'”

A post-mortem toxicology report showed that her daughter’s system was clean, reflecting no traces of drugs or alcohol. She was also not texting and driving.

“It’s extremely important for parents to realize that it’s not just the drinking and driving they need to be concerned about,” warned the Sangamon County Chief Deputy Coroner Jim Allmon, who also happens to be Maddie’s step-father. “Throughout my career at the Sangamon County Coroner’s Office, I have been out more than a few times the night of prom or the day after prom.”

For Jim, the devastating tragedy was an eye-opener about the extreme dangers of tired driving, especially after an event like prom.

“We’ve talked a lot about distracted driving and about driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but we’ve not once talked about tired driving,” he said. “These kids are up for hours getting ready for prom. Then they go to prom, and many of them attend the after-prom event where they’re safe. But then they have to drive themselves home. Some kids have 15-minute drives on country roads.”

Finding his sweet daughter dead at the scene is an event that has scarred Jim for life — but he’s turning his pain into purpose.

After the heartbreaking loss of their daughter, Jim and Courtney are urging other parents to pick their kids up from prom, even if it’s embarrassing or unpopular. One night of being the “uncool” parent could save your teen’s life and avoid a lifetime of heartache.

“Show that child that even though they are 18, hey you are still there, you’re mom you’re dad,” said Courtney.

“I don’t care if it’s not cool,” Jim added. “I don’t care if your friends are there and they see me pick you up. We are going to pick you up. We are going to drive you home. We are going to get you home safe. And we are going to have you for another day.”

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