COLUMBUS, Ohio — While Sept. 17 is a hard day for 10TV Sports Anchor Dom Tiberi and his family after the loss of their daughter 11 years ago, they continue to honor her through Maria's Message.
The Tiberi family lost their daughter, Maria, to a traffic accident in 2013. Police believe some type of distraction caused her not to see a semitruck stopped in front of her on Interstate 270.
Nothing can bring Maria back, but the Tiberi family has made it their mission to try and help keep other families from experiencing the loss of a loved one because of distracted driving.
Through a partnership with 10TV, Dom began Maria’s Message, sharing his story and bringing awareness to the potential consequences of not paying attention while behind the wheel.
Dom visited more than 150 schools in central Ohio to educate students on the dangers of distracted driving. The Maria Tiberi Foundation provided schools, such as Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center, with driving simulator labs to give students a more hands-on lesson.
The partnership with 10TV also provides free defensive driving classes for teenagers during the summer.
Maria’s Message has been recognized locally, statewide and nationally with accolades.
Last year, Dom and 10TV accepted the 2023 Celebration of Service Award in the TV Large Market category from the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation for Maria’s Message. He was also recognized by Columbus City Council.
Dom’s effort to put an end to distracted driving sparked a change in Ohio law to enforce safe driving.
In January 2023, Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law Senate Bill 288 that toughens Ohio’s distracted driving rules stating that “distracted driving is a killer.” Dom attended the signing.
To learn more about Maria's Message, click here.
