FARMINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) – Dealing with pain through finding purpose. During graduation season, and always, a mother and father from Farmington are teaching the dangers of drunk driving.

“We don’t have Luke around to parent, so all we have left is to parent his legacy,” said his mom, Carri Roux, about the two years her family has endured, full of pain and disbelief. “He had a great baseball game. The game ended. I went home just expecting to congratulate him on a good game and a nice win for the team, and he never made it home.”

Just days after graduating from Farmington High School, 17-year-old Luke Roux was driving on a familiar route home when he was struck and killed by a drunk driver. His family and the entire community were left grappling with this senseless loss.

“You just go into a state of shock for a little while, trying to comprehend how you could have someone there, and then they’re gone,” his father, Steve, said.

The Rouxs knew right away they wanted to honor their son. Friends helped to set up a memorial fund, which has now grown into the Luke Roux Foundation with a mission “to reduce fatalities caused by intoxicated driving today and eliminate them tomorrow.”

That foundation’s purpose is based on three pillars: to support change at the local, state, federal and corporate levels, advocate for technology in cars that could sense erratic driving and create awareness and education for kids.

“If you drink, don’t drive, decide to ride,” said Carri, reading from a safe ride gift card the foundation is giving out to all Farmington High School and Northwest Catholic seniors.

The Rouxs founded a memorial hockey game and awarded scholarships to players who embody Luke’s spirit.

“His humility, his passion for the sports, his kindness and good-naturedness,” Carri said.

“We are at the Farmington Little League fields,” said Carri, walking past a spot where Luke hit his first home run. It now bears a sign for the foundation.

The Rouxs are speaking out to make a difference with Luke always on their minds and in their hearts.

“(We want to) save lives and not have other people have to experience the pain and devastation that we felt on June 25th and continue to feel every day since,” Carri said.

The Rouxs hope the foundation will serve as a blueprint for similar organizations nationwide.

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