After tragedy, Riverview family works to strengthen distracted driving laws

RIVERVIEW, Fla (FOX 13) - The family of a Riverview boy killed in a car wreck plans to hold a press conference Monday afternoon to support legislation toughening laws around distracted driving. 

Logan Scherer was killed after a driver slammed into the back of his family’s car on Sept.15, 2016, killing the 9-year-old instantly. Logan’s family says the driver, 34-year-old Gregory Andriotis, was distracted by his phone at the time of the wreck. Investigators arrested Andriotis earlier this year, charging him with reckless driving and vehicular homicide. 

"We never thought something like this would happen to us, and that is a mistake that everybody makes," said Brooke Scherer, Logan's mother. "You're not invincible, this can happen to you. You can be a victim of it, or you can use it."

Since the time of the accident, Logan’s family has worked tirelessly to raise the profile surrounding distracted driving incidents in Florida. The Living for Logan Foundation was formed to “eliminate distracted driving through education, legislation, and changing the hearts, minds, and habits of drivers everywhere,” according to the foundation’s website. 

"We were people who used our technology in the car before this happened, and that's because we thought we were invincible," Scherer said. 

Logan’s parents announced they would be in Tampa on Monday to support state Rep. Jackie Toedo’s efforts to strengthen policy on distracted driving, a signature item she campaigned on. 

Under current law, texting while driving is subject to a $20 fine and no points on a driver's record. Florida is one of only four states where texting while driving is not a primary offense.