When Josh was a little boy, he told his dad that some day his name would be famous.  At the time the family thought he was referring to his special musical talents on the drum and guitar, maybe a rock star.  “No,” he said, “I am going to be really famous.”

Joshua’s name today has importance as the young man who brought the nation’s attention back to teen driving and the importance of developing meaningful education for a life-saving skill needed for every teen.

Joshua Robert was born on August 22, 1985, the only son of Alan and LuGina Brown. He loved football, he loved baseball, he loved his family. He had a gift for music and had been accepted to a prestigious music school in Boston where he would attend after graduating from his final year at Cartersville High School in Cartersville, Georgia

A playful moment with Josh and his mother, LuGina

A proud dad, Alan, with his son on prom night

Josh as quarterback of the Cartersville Canes football team

On July 1, 2003, Joshua was driving a two-lane highway in the rain when his truck hit a puddle of water, hydroplaned, and crashed into a tree. Severely injured, he fought to stay alive for six days, but passed away on July 9th. 

When Joshua lost control of his vehicle on a wet road, he did not know what to do and his parents dealt with grief and guilt.  That emptiness turned into a personal crusade to make sure every teen has the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to drive safely. Within one year of their only son’s death, Alan and LuGina Brown organized the Joshua Brown foundation that has successfully raised a quarter of a million dollars to provide driving simulators and training to Joshua’s former high school; developed a technologically advanced program to provide drivers education for every teen; and, passed Joshua’s Law in the Georgia General Assembly during one session with overwhelming support.