Medina unveils new driving practice pad inspired by 3 teens killed in car accidents

MEDINA, Ohio (WOIO) - A bittersweet unveiling Tuesday of a new state-of-the-art training facility for teen drivers.

It was inspired by three Northeast Ohio teens who were tragically killed in car accidents.

“I know my daughter would be very proud. I know she’s shining down on us," says Ray Sanderbeck, who’s daughter Michelle, was killed in a car accident in 2006.

She was a passenger in a car driven by a 16-year-old.

Parents, police and leaders in Medina County have been working together to help teens get better training behind the wheel.

They unveiled a new $750,000 driving skills pad on West Liberty Street in Medina.

It will be the new home of the Take Control Driving Teen Driving Program for teens. The program is free to all licensed teen drivers.

Police will help teens learn crucial skills, like emergency braking, how to handle skidding off the road, and how to avoid crashes.

The family of Erin and Andrew Ehrbar were also part of the project. They say knowing that this training could potentially save lives is a mission they wanted to support.

“It was like pain with a purpose. We had a purpose again and Erin and Andrew were driving us and they still do.”

The Take Control Teen Driving Program started in 2010. They’ve trained more than 750 teen drivers since

The new location is on a 2.5 acre site. It includes “Drift Lift” technology that allows drivers to regain control of a skidding vehicle.

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