DJ Hancock’s sister named as MADD Canada’s national president

Jamie-Lyne Hancock the new President of MADD A Sudbury woman, whose brother was killed by a drunk driver, is the new MADD Canada head. Lyndsay Aelick’s report looks at new initiatives.

Sudbury — Jaymie-Lyne Hancock, who has been a long-time activist against drinking and driving after her brother was killed by an impaired driver in Sudbury, has a new role.

It was announced Thursday that Jaymie will be the new national president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada.

On Aug. 21, 2014, Jaymie’s brother, DJ, was driving home from a local arena after a junior 'A' hockey team tryout, when he was hit head-on by an impaired driver.

His and Jaymie’s parents, Dean and Kim, had been at the tryout and were driving on the road just a few minutes behind DJ when the incident happened. His parents came upon the crash scene and found their son pinned inside his car. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene an hour later.

Jaymie was at home when the first call about the crash came. She vividly remembers the frantic follow-up calls, the uncertainty about whether she should be going to the crash site or the hospital, and the dread about what eventually happened, that her brother was killed.

"MADD Canada’s national president plays a tremendous role in advancing awareness and policy initiatives, promoting education, representing volunteers and members, and, most importantly, being a leading voice for victims of impaired driving across Canada," said Andrew Murie, MADD Canada’s chief executive officer. "Jaymie’s drive, her youth and her passion for this cause will help us bring even more people to the team that is working to end impaired driving."

"I look forward to opening up the conversation about impaired driving, and engaging new supporters, new groups, new communities online to join us in fighting this entirely preventable crime," said Jaymie.

Jaymie started her two-year term as national president in Jan.