CULLMAN – On May 21, 2014, Jerry "Jay" Kendall, Jr. was struck and killed by a teen boy who was driving distracted. In July 2014, a special rally, Jay’s Last Ride, was held in his honor. Jay’s Last Ride was a free rally to raise awareness of the dangers of texting and driving. Many people joined the fight against distracted driving that night.
Since then, the rally has grown and taken on multiple causes. It is now “a rally for the betterment of our community through love, education and support,” and is sponsored by Hands on the Wheel, the nonprofit founded by Jay Kendall’s widow, Suzette Kendall.
This year’s event, dubbed the “3rd Anniversary Jay’s Ride,” will take place on Sunday, July 24 from 5-9 p.m., beginning at the Cullman County Courthouse with a candlelight vigil and pledge drive.
For information or to volunteer, email rally director Suzette Kendall at SuzetteKendall@aol.com.
For more than two decades, Jerry "Jay" Kendall, 58, was a softball and baseball umpire at Heritage Park and throughout Cullman County. He was also the postmaster in Vinemont and Hanceville.
ALEA reported that Jay Kendall was riding his 2005 Yamaha motorcycle when he was struck by a 2002 GMC at the intersection of Highway 31 and Golf Course Road on May 21, 2014. Troopers said that the 17-year-old driver was using an electronic communication device when the wreck happened. Jay Kendall’s family said Kendall was on the way to work at the time of the wreck.
