Brian DeWitt, 18
Funny & Smart with a Huge Smile
and Amazing Hugs
Let the Games Begins
John and Deborah’s generosity began calling these events fundraisers for PursuitSAFETY. As often as possible, Candy and Mark attended and still thank the DeWitts for their love and generosity.
“Brian always had a huge smile and big cheeks and gave everyone amazing hugs.”
Deborah DeWitt remembers her son and his most giving way.
Pictures and more news stories are below.
Bags for Brian 2019
“On behalf of PursuitSAFETY, I thank you. Going back to this fundraiser’s baseball roots, you truly are the Greatest Team.”
With love, Candy and Mark Priano
Friendship = Corn Hole and Baseball for Brian
Past events
2018 Bags For Brian
From 2011-2016 on Brian DeWitt’s birthday, his friends and family took us out to the ballpark as a way to honor the young man and financially support PursuitSAFETY. Both John and Deborah said, “We don’t want what happened to Brian to happen to anyone else.”
In 2017, the family decided to play Corn Hole, or as we know it, “Bags for Brian.” The tournament was a huge success and raised a significant amount of money so PursuitSAFETY can continue to help others in need and allow the PursuitSAFETY team to spread the word about the inherent risk police chase cause to innocent bystanders.
We here at PursuitSAFETY are so-o-o grateful to everyone who has supported these events and shines the park lights on ‘Baseball and Bags for Brian.’
Without their donations, PursuitSAFETY wouldn’t be where we are today and able to provide family members and injured innocent victims a safe place they can turn to for the support they need.
Deborah DeWitt says, “Our lives will never be the same without Brian. My heart is broken and saying goodbye to my sweet son was the hardest thing I had to do in my life. He was such a loving son and brother and friend to all. He was funny and smart and popular and handsome. He always had a huge smile and big cheeks and gave everyone amazing hugs.”
Family and friends fill September 26th with memories of a young man whose life was taken way too soon. The love for Brian fills one’s heart.
Outdoor shots covering multiple playing fields. As this event grows, so do the number of fields. Debbie and Maria Anchacles, one of the main organizers of this year’s event, take a break to pose for a snapshot. A friend, Brett Prockish (above, center photo) gives flowers to Debbie!
To learn more about how Brian became an innocent victim of police pursuit click here.
More news stories about Brian.
Baseball for Brian 2013: The sweetest baseball team!
Brian and Maria Anchacles have been friends since grade school. She writes, “Three years ago today, Oct. 5, 2010, we lost one of our greatest friends, Brian DeWitt, but today we remembered him by playing one of his favorite games. Thank you to everyone who came out and participated, cheered, and donated. We raised over $1,000 for PursuitSAFETY and are happy our angel held off on the rain until the end. “
by Deborah DeWitt
Illinois–I was woken by my husband John who told me Brian was at the hospital. He had been in an accident. We rushed to the hospital. We had to make a detour because they had blocked off the street. We later found out that was where Brian had been killed by a young police officer speeding through the intersection in an unmarked car with no sirens or mars lights. The report indicates that he was traveling 90 mph in a 30 mph zone. This officer used bad judgment, which resulted in my son’s death. My son Brian can never be replaced. He died over a traffic stop. I am outraged.
Our lives will never be the same without Brian. My heart is broken and saying goodbye to my sweet son was the hardest thing I had to do in my life. He was such a loving son and brother and friend to all. He was funny and smart and popular and handsome.
He always had a huge smile and big cheeks and gave everyone amazing hugs. I wanted him to go to college and become a fireman and raise a family of his own just like he wanted. I would trade places with him if I could. It is not fair that his life was taken nine days after he turned 18. Brian was the innocent victim of an officer’s careless mistake, and I have to live the rest of my life without him and it truly sucks.
We will always miss him and love him. Words cannot describe the pain. I can only hope that another family does not have to go through this and that I will see my son again in heaven.
Note: While in Chicago to speak before the Highway Safety Committee meeting of the IACP (October 2011), Candy Priano visited with Debbie, and Brian’s dad John and sister Cindy. Brian’s sister Jessica was away at college. “It was an honor to meet Brian’s family and one can easily see why Brian was such a sweet, young man.”