Maddie Barondeau and Griffin Tichenor are friends, cyclists, and advocates who never expected to be doing this work. On July 1, 2025, Griffin went out for a training ride on one of Western North Carolina’s most popular cycling routes with two close friends, including Maddie’s fiance: Lennie Antonelli and Jacob Hill. A dump truck veered into their lane, striking them head on. Griffin survived. Lennie and Jacob did not.

Griffin hasn’t ridden his bike since that day. Griffin and Maddie now live with the trauma of having two close friends and loved ones die in a crash that was entirely preventable. And with the anger that comes from knowing this keeps happening to people outside of cars across the country.

Maddie and Griffin helped found the North Carolina chapter to turn grief into action, and to make sure Lennie and Jacob’s names, along with all other victims in North Carolina, are never forgotten.