ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 17, 2025) — Lieutenant Governor Aruna K. Miller joined state officials, transportation leaders, safety advocates, crash victims’ families and law enforcement officers yesterday for the 22nd Annual Maryland Remembers Ceremony, an event honoring Marylanders who lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes and reaffirming the state’s commitment to achieving zero roadway fatalities. 

“Every life lost on our roads is one too many,” said Lt. Gov. Miller. “Behind every number is a person, a loved one whose absence is felt every single day. This ceremony reminds us that we each have a responsibility to make choices that protect ourselves and others. Together, we can make Maryland’s roads safer for everyone.” 

Lt. Governor Miller was joined by Acting Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Secretary Samantha J. Biddle, Maryland Motor Vehicle Administrator (MVA) Chrissy Nizer, and Acting Superintendent of Maryland Department of State Police Colonel Michael A. Jackson, along with representatives from the MVA’s Highway Safety Office, Maryland Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, and law enforcement agencies from across the state. 

“Safety is at the heart of everything we do,” said Acting Secretary Samantha J. Biddle. “MDOT is Serious About Safety and saving lives. We are steadfast in working to bend the curve on roadway fatalities and are making progress. Remember, safety is a responsibility we all share and events like Maryland Remembers help ensure we never lose sight of why our work matters.” 

So far this year, 422 people have been killed in crashes on Maryland roadways. While this represents a significant decrease from 582 fatalities in 2024, this number remains a sobering reminder of the work ahead. 

“Every decision we make behind the wheel can change a life forever,” said Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer, who also serves as Governor Wes Moore’s Highway Safety Representative. “We honor the lives of those lost by committing to safe driving behaviors, slowing down, buckling up, staying alert, and never driving impaired. Each of us has the power to make a difference.” 

During the ceremony, Administrator Nizer presented the 2025 Kevin Quinlan Award for Outstanding Leadership in Highway Safety to Sergeant Patrick Kepp of the Montgomery County Police Department. 

“Maryland State Police remains committed to our mission of ensuring our state is a safe place to live, work and visit,” said Acting Superintendent of Maryland Department of State Police Colonel Michael A. Jackson. “Together, with our law enforcement and highway safety partners, we will continue to remove dangerous drivers from our roadways and urge drivers to make safe and responsible choices behind the wheel.”

Sgt. Kepp, a veteran officer with more than a decade of service, has been instrumental in advancing impaired driving enforcement and education across Maryland. As a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) and instructor, he has trained and mentored more than a thousand officers, prosecutors and judges, improving impaired driving detection, strengthening enforcement and improving roadway safety for all users. His dedication to his department and to the citizens of Maryland reflects the spirit of the late Kevin Quinlan, a national leader in traffic safety who spent nearly four decades advocating for programs that save lives. 

The MVA’s Highway Safety Office continues to partner with state and local law enforcement agencies through targeted enforcement and education initiatives, including enhanced impaired driving patrols throughout the holiday season, to protect Marylanders on the road. 

To learn more about the Highway Safety Office and the Zero Deaths Maryland initiative, visit ZeroDeathsMD.gov or follow @ZeroDeathsMD on Facebook, X, and Instagram.