Tampa resident Todd Quinzi, 62, never woke up after a horrific December crash on westbound I-4. He spent 11 days in a coma before dying from his injuries, yet his family says his final act turned tragedy into hope when his organs gave four people a second chance at life. His daughter is channeling her grief into a public push against impaired driving and a call to embrace organ donation.
According to FOX 13, the Florida Highway Patrol says Quinzi's car was rear-ended on Dec. 6 by another vehicle whose driver allegedly fled the scene and was believed to be under the influence. Quinzi was rushed to Tampa General Hospital and remained in a coma for 11 days before he died. His family says his heart, liver and both kidneys were recovered and transplanted to four recipients.
"If even one other family can be saved...that's what my dad would want," his daughter, Haley Quinzi, told FOX 13. She says she plans to keep speaking out about sober driving and is leaning on support from advocacy groups as she does it. Haley described her father as a mentor and local business leader who helped expand Jersey Mike's across the region. The family said his heart went to a man in Ohio, while the liver and both kidneys went to local recipients. In the middle of their loss, they say, knowing four people got a lifeline has brought a measure of comfort.
Impaired Driving Remains A Leading Killer
State officials say impaired driving is a major factor in deadly crashes. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that roughly one in three fatal traffic crashes involves an impaired driver. Per FLHSMV, law-enforcement efforts like the "Drive Sober or Game Over" campaign are aimed at cutting those numbers. Families such as the Quinzis say that personal stories like Todd's can add real pressure on people who might otherwise take the risk.
Donor Legacy And How To Help
Organ donation can reshape several lives at once. State and local programs note that a single donor can save multiple patients through organ and tissue recovery. For Floridians who want to learn more or register, Donate Life Florida maintains the state registry and provides information on how donations are handled. The Quinzi family hopes Todd's legacy will live on as both a warning about impaired driving and a lasting gift to those who were saved.
Months after the December collision, the family says it will keep speaking publicly in Todd's name, urging safer choices behind the wheel.
