Puerto Rico’s Commission for Traffic Safety has launched a powerful Christmas drink driving campaign built around the story of Justin Rafael Santos. Justin was killed in November 2021 when a drunk driver crossed into the opposite lane and crashed into his vehicle. The new audiovisual piece, “Un sueño detenido. Un mensaje para salvar vidas” (“A dream stopped. A message to save lives”), uses digital recreation, authorised by his family, to show Justin as he was in life, a young man full of plans, love for his family and a future ahead of him. The campaign was launched in San Juan with the participation of Governor Jenniffer González Colón, CST executive director José Orlando “Memo” González Mercado, the Secretary of Justice, the Police Superintendent, MADD Puerto Rico, and several families who have lost loved ones to drunk drivers.
At the centre of the campaign is a deeply personal message spoken in Justin’s voice. He tells viewers he does not want to be remembered only as “the brother of Arcángel who died because someone decided to drive under the influence of alcohol”, but as a dreamer, a young man with goals and a family he loved. He speaks directly to people who are about to drive after drinking, warning that a preventable tragedy can destroy many lives and stressing that asking someone else to drive is not a weakness, it is maturity, respect and love for life. The key phrase of the campaign, “Si vas a beber, pasa la llave” (“If you are going to drink, pass the keys”), is repeated as a simple rule that can keep people alive, supported by alternatives like designated drivers and safe transport.
Urban artist Arcángel (Austin Santos), Justin’s brother, serves as the main spokesperson, bringing both visibility and authenticity to the message. At the launch he spoke openly about the lasting pain of losing his younger brother and the difficulty of seeing his mother’s grief, underlining that success means little when the person you want to share it with is gone. The campaign is backed by increased enforcement, federal funding for media outreach and overtime for police patrols, as well as a new law that strengthens penalties for those who cause death or serious injury while driving under the influence. Together, the emotional testimonies, Justin’s recreated message and the “pass the keys” slogan aim to ensure that no Christmas celebration ends with another empty chair at the table.
Find more from Comisión para la Seguridad en el Tránsito (Puerto Rico, December 2025)
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