The Garrett Sands Kindness project adopts a highway to honor Garrett’s legacy

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — After adopting a stretch of roadway in Terre Haute years ago, the family of Garrett Sands now has a sign on both sides of the road in his honor.

In 2018, Garrett Sands was killed in a shooting incident at a home in Terre Haute. His mother Jayna Sullivan said Erie Canal Road is where he would ride his bike most days.

She said this is this is a way to make it seem that he is still around.

“Doing things in memory of my son, even if it is just picking up trash, feels like we are physically able to do something for him,” she said.

Vigo County engineer Larry Robbins said that this is also a dedication to bettering the community.

“It is good to get that name out there and that recognition and let the motoring public know that you have taken ownership of this section of roadway and that you pride yourself in how it looks and how the community looks,” he said.

He called it a great way to keep Garrett’s story alive.

“Everyone who drives down this road is going to see that someone has adopted this section of road in memory of this person,” he said. “It is going to keep that name in the forefront and keep that memory alive and be something that is very good for the community.”

Sullivan said this is another way to find hope and healing.

“Obviously, I love that Garrett’s name is still out there and that people remember him,” she said. “It is important to me that that special boy is remembered.”

If anyone wants to honor a loved one in this way, you can visit the engineering department at the Vigo County Annex to get an application.

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