Family and friends mourn loss of 4th of July crash victim one year later

When you’re out on the roads this July Fourth weekend, a local family wants you to think about what happened to their loved one, one year ago.

Mark Norton was out riding his scooter on Indian Canyon when police said an alleged drunkendriver slammed into the 53-year-old.

Family members said the wound from the loss of their brother is still fresh.

For everyone out celebrating holiday weekend, it’s an unfortunate reminder of the tragedies of drinking and driving.

“It’s been a real process especially being my twin. You feel like you’re missing your right arm, your partner, your partner in crime,” Mark’s twin sister, Melanie Norton, said.

Norton said the memory of her twin brother lives on in the Palm Springs sun.

He loved the sunshine, that’s why he wanted to be here in Palm Springs, in the heat doing what he loved,” Norton said.

Friends and family members gathered to pay tribute to Mark Friday at the site of his year-ago crash.

Mark had been living in Palm Springs for almost a year working at an animal hospital, a job Melanie said was a fresh start for him.

“He said he was happy. Even when he called me, you could just tell in his voice, like wow you are really happy,” Norton said.

All of that changed when Mark was hit by a truck while riding his scooter.

Police said David Doyle, who was driving the truck, didn’t stop, dragging the scooter with him around the block.

A year later, Doyle is still in custody after pleading not guilty to felony charges.

The vigil occurred at a time when police are out in full force to make sure accidents like this don’t happen.

From Friday to Sunday CHP is under its maximum enforcement campaign in an effort to crack down on DUI offenders and other traffic violators.

While Norton is glad police are cracking down on DUIs she said she’ll have closure once Doyle admits he’s guilty.

“Why, knowing that you killed somebody, whether it was premeditated or not, just plead guilty fess up to it,” Norton said.

Norton said she just wants everyone to think before they get in the car and drive after they’ve been drinking.

Here’s another way to stay safe this weekend if you have been drinking.

American Cab is offering free rides Saturday night throughout the Coachella Valley.

If you’ve had a little too much to drink, call between 10 p.m. Saturday and 3 a.m. on Sunday.

The number is 760-300-0000.