Parents outraged by homey prison life for driver who killed their son: 'How is this justice?'

A grieving family says Colorado law let a texting driver off easy and failed their son, who was killed while crossing the street.

In August 2023, the Stratton family’s world was turned upside down when their 10-year-old son, Oliver, affectionately known as “Ollie,” tragically lost his life after being hit by a driver who was texting at the wheel.

“She was texting while driving on that day that she killed our son,” Clarissa Stratton told Fox News Digital. 

“One text message nearly every 22 seconds for over a half hour on repeat,” she said.

The parents said that they would continue to fight for other children in Oliver’s honor.

In response, they established Oliver’s Bike Parade, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring safer streets for everyone. They achieve this through community education, legislative advocacy, and honoring victims like Ollie.

Ollie’s memory lives on with his parents, Rod and Clarissa Stratton, and his three siblings: Caily (15), Grayson (14), and Alex (6). (Photo courtesy of the Stratton family)

Oliver was the Strattons’ third child in the close-knit family of six.

Clarissa said her son was “smart, funny, kind, energetic, enthusiastic, and really, really silly.”

“Ollie was nice to everyone, even those who were mean to him… they don’t make them quite like Ollie Kane.”

— Clarissa Stratton, Oliver’s mother

His father, Rod, told Fox News Digital that stories from his memorial service illustrated his kindness. One boy, he said, recalled how the 10-year-old noticed he had stopped participating in recess races because he always lost foot races. 

Ollie offered to practice running with him every day “so he could improve,” Rod said.

“Ollie left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him,” Clarissa said.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office for comment.

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