On the latest episode of Baltimore Boomerang, we revisit a story from the January 2014 issue of Baltimore magazine about Jake Owen. When he was just 5 years old, Jake was killed in a distracted-driving car crash and, ever since, his parents Spike and Susan have been championing and working to honor his life.
Three years ago, they founded a nonprofit called Change for Jake Foundation and spoke in Annapolis to pass a piece of legislation called Jake’s Law, which toughens the laws against distracted drivers. On the podcast, Spike speaks about how there is still more work to be done to make it so that all states consider it a felony when a fatality is caused by cell-phone distracted driving.
The latest update for the Owens comes in the form of Jake’s Skate Park at Rash Field, which they are currently working to build through Waterfront Partnership. While Jake was alive, he was an avid skateboarder, surprisingly skilled at such a young age, so the park is an ideal way to keep his memory alive.
Listen as Spike discusses the best way to help fundraise for the park and how he and Susan have found the strength over the years to continue to honor their son.