The Gweedo Memorial Foundation
Our Mission: Educate new teenage drivers and their parents on the dangers of destructive driving decisions.
Tammy speaks locally and nationwide to various schools and organizations, eager to spread the word about Conner and how to stay safe on the road.
His Story
Joseph Conner Williams Guido—known as “Gweedo” to his friends—tragically lost his life at the age of 16 in an automobile crash on October 26, 2019. Conner was a passenger in a vehicle driven by an unlicensed driver. In the wake of this devastating loss, Conner’s mother has become a passionate advocate for teen safe-driving education in Virginia and across the country, working to raise awareness among young drivers and their parents about the serious dangers of reckless and destructive driving decisions.
Additionally, Conners death was the driving force behind 5 bills that Tammy secured in the State of Virginia.
Generous donations will be used to educate upcoming teenage drivers, and their parents on safe driving practices.
Meet Tammy:
Through the tragic death of her son, Conner's mom, Tammy, has become a strong advocate for teen safe driving education in Virginia and across the country raising awareness among new teenage drivers and their parents about the dangers of destructive driving decisions. Tammy speaks locally and nationwide to various schools and organizations at no charge, eager to spread the word about Conner and how to stay safe on the road.
Important Stats
People died in Teen-driver related crashes during summer months between 2012-2021
Lives lost each year in teen-driver related crashes during summer months
Lives lost in summer crashes from 2013-2022
percentag of teen crash deaths between 9pm and 6am in 2021
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Speaking
Tammy offers her speaking services to a range of schools and organizations both locally and across the nation, free of charge.
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Educational Partnerships
Our commitment is to support you by offering accessible resources for this battle.
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Scholarship
Each year, two Gweedo Scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors in honor of Conner.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Parking Lot Teen Driving Safety Signs
Life-Saving Reminders Before They Leave the Parking Lot The Gweedo Memorial Foundation, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, launched a statewide initiative to place teen driving safety signs at high schools across Virginia. Strategically placed in school parking lots and student driving areas, the signs provide simple, powerful reminders students see before they get behind the wheel and as they leave school each day.
Messages include:
Phones Down. Eyes Up.
Slow Down. Lives Up.
Buckle Up. Every Ride.
No License. No Keys.
Never Drive Impaired.
Always Speak Up.
The signs are available in English and Spanish and are designed to reinforce the same life-saving behaviors taught through the Foundation’s teen driver safety programs. For Tammy McGee, founder of the Gweedo Memorial Foundation and #ConnersMom, the initiative is deeply personal. Her 16-year-old son, Conner, was killed in a 100% preventable crash involving an unlicensed teenage driver who was speeding. The goal is simple: reach teenagers before the crash. A sign may only take a few seconds to read—but those few seconds could remind a student to put down the phone, buckle up, slow down, refuse to ride with an unsafe driver, or find the courage to speak up.
One reminder. One decision. One voice. One life saved
Must watch videos.
Safety should always come first. Teens with learner’s permits, speak up about having an adult in the car. Parents, talk to your teens about safe driving rules.
Please share and watch these important videos to help keep all new drivers safe!
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Changes licensing requirements for first-time drivers ages 18–21 by extending the learner’s permit period from 60 to 90 days and requiring completion of a driver education course.
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Strengthens oversight of driver training schools and instructors, with provisions on licensing restrictions, waiting periods, and public reporting of disciplinary actions
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Requires driver education instructors to display identification while providing behind-the-wheel training, ensuring legitimacy, accountability, and student safety.
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Strengthens accountability by making it a Class 1 misdemeanor to knowingly allow an unlicensed or improperly licensed individual to operate a vehicle if it results in injury or death, increasing consequences for those who enable unsafe driving.
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Specifically addresses situations involving minors, making it a Class 1 misdemeanor to allow a minor without a valid license or permit—or operating outside permit restrictions—to drive if it results in injury or death
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The bill encourages all Virginia school districts to provide behind-the-wheel driver training as part of high school driver education, recognizing it as an essential skill for safe teen driving and preparing students for licensing.
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Requires a parent/teen driver education component at high schools, emphasizing the role of families in reinforcing safe driving behaviors and decision-making.
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Requires proof of a valid driver’s license before a student can receive a school parking permit and strengthens education on distracted and reckless driving.
Submitting An Anonymous Tip
Our Mission
We created a platform in loving memory of Joseph Conner Williams Guido - affectionately known as “Gweedo” by his friends - who tragically lost his life at just 16 years old in a car crash on October 26, 2019. This site exists to give teens and community members a safe, anonymous way to speak up when they witness something concerning - whether it’s reckless driving, bullying, drug use, or any other dangerous behavior.
Our hope is that by removing the fear of retaliation, more people will choose to act - and in doing so, prevent tragedies before they happen.
Your voice could save a life. It could have saved his.
We want to hear from you.
We are grateful to those who support the Gweedo Memorial Foundation
