Joseph Bresnyan (1977 – 2017)

Joseph Bresnyan, a 40-year-old father of four, was changing a flat tire along Interstate 80 near Sacramento on May 3, 2017.  A passing motorist drifted onto the shoulder of the highway, struck him, and killed him.  California Highway Patrol arrested the driver on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular homicide.  He tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.

Californians approved pot legalization in 2016, but the impaired driver didn’t realize that driving after smoking pot was illegal and dangerous.  The public shares much of this ignorance, and technology has not caught up with policy.  Law enforcement is scrambling to find good ways to test for and control stoned driving, but they haven’t found a solution.

The real tragedy according to Joe’s mother, Alma, is that the children miss their father terribly.  “He was such a good father and so involved in their lives.  His passing left a hole in their lives.  He played such an active part in it.”  The kids were 15, 9, 6, and 2 at the time of his death.  The photo above was taken on a trip to Disneyland just weeks before he died.

Joe never smoked, drank, or did drugs.  He was a diesel mechanic who grew up around racecars and dirt track racing.  His most recent endeavor at the racetrack was dwarf car racing.