2026 End Distracted Driving Scholarship Winners

Derek Ruehl earned first place for a submission focused on greater investment in and use of public transportation.

Ruehl argued that giving people reliable alternatives to driving could reduce roadway congestion and limit situations in which drivers feel compelled to use their phones behind the wheel.

He also pointed to a practical example familiar to many commuters: work that might otherwise tempt someone to check a phone while driving could instead be completed safely while riding a bus.

His proposal connected distracted driving prevention with broader questions about transportation infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and how people use their travel time.

Ruehl plans to attend California State University, Northridge, where he will pursue a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing.

He hopes to build a career in the music industry, with an emphasis on supporting underrepresented communities and promoting sustainable business practices.

Aubri Hollis received the $1,000 runner-up scholarship for a proposal centered on greater consistency in distracted driving laws across the United States.

Hollis proposed standardizing distracted driving rules across all 50 states so motorists would face clearer expectations when traveling between jurisdictions.

Her submission addressed a practical problem created by varying state laws: conduct that is permitted in one state may be restricted in another.

Hollis will attend Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, where she plans to double major in Elementary Education and Interdisciplinary Studies while completing a minor in English.

Distracted driving remains a preventable source of serious crashes, injuries, and deaths.

New drivers are entering an environment where phones, navigation systems, vehicle displays, and other distractions compete constantly for their attention.

Our scholarship was created to give students an opportunity to examine that problem before unsafe driving behaviors become routine.

Rather than simply asking applicants to describe the dangers of distracted driving, we wanted students to consider realistic changes that could influence driver behavior.

“What stood out to me was that Derek and Aubri weren’t just identifying the problem; they were thinking about what we could actually do about it,” said Tyler Schneider, Managing Partner at TorHoerman Law.

“That’s really the point of this scholarship. We want young people to think about distracted driving now, before bad habits have a chance to form. Both of them took the issue seriously, came up with thoughtful ideas, and we’re happy to play a part in helping them take the next step in their education.”

Our attorneys represent people whose lives have been changed by serious injuries, including injuries caused by preventable motor vehicle crashes.

Distracted driving prevention gives us an opportunity to address roadway safety before an accident occurs.

The End Distracted Driving Scholarship also reflects our connection to Edwardsville and the surrounding communities.

Our law firm is based in Edwardsville, and supporting local students allows us to invest directly in young people preparing for the next stage of their education.

We congratulate Derek Ruehl and Aubri Hollis on their scholarship awards and wish both of them success as they begin college.