Who James Was: A Dad, a Partner, a Life Behind the Wheel
In this opening section, the family paints a vivid picture of James Harper: 24-year-old state road worker, devoted husband, and new dad to Elelliana. From his early days as a basketball kid who later found a second wind in golf, to the way he bonded with his fiancée Gabrielle over everyday moments, James comes across as a life-filled, family-first kind of guy.
“He loved his family and he had faith in God, and he had good morals.”
His father, Chris, shares how James kept his head on straight, never talked back, and grew into a person who loved being around people. Gabrielle adds that James was “definitely family oriented” and a man of God whose love for his family was the centerpiece of his life. This section is a reminder of the person behind the headline, an ordinary man with an extraordinary love for his wife and daughter.
A Morning that Shouldn’t Have Ended This Way
“We took a life for granted that we thought was exempt from tragedy.”
This section digs into the moment-by-moment reality of the day James was struck and the painful aftermath that followed. The Harper family describes the shock of learning about the accident, the scramble to connect with hospitals and authorities, and the chaos of a news cycle that often moves faster than a family can process. They speak candidly about the miscommunication and the urgent need for a better protocol to notify families first in such tragedies. The conversation also highlights the harsh gap between what happened on the highway and how information was handled in the hours that followed, including the role of media reports and the emotional toll of waiting for confirmation. It’s a raw look at grief, the suddenness of loss, and the fight to ensure something good can come from it—fewer families going through the same confusion in the future.
Pushing for Change: Safer Work Zones, Stronger Voices, Real Accountability
“We need to look at laws and protocols to make this safer for these people out doing this job.”
As the interview moves into taking action, the family talks about safety, accountability, and advocacy. They discuss proposed changes to penalties for distracted or negligent driving in work zones, including H.B. 2871 and upgrades to charges from misdemeanor to felony in certain cases. They share their ongoing collaboration with lawmakers and safety advocates like Beyond the Cone, and they push for practical changes such as better notification procedures for families, more robust victim advocacy, and stronger physical protections at work sites (speed cameras, barriers, etc.). The section is a call to action: a plea to slow down in work zones, to place the lives of road crews above momentary distractions, and to create a system that prioritizes families in the wake of tragedy. The family’s resolve is clear: James’s death shouldn’t be in vain, and their goal is to protect others from the pain they’ve endured.
If you’re moved by James’s story and want to hear the family’s words in their own voices, this video is a powerful, deeply personal look at love, grief, and the fight for safer roads. It’s a reminder that every life matters and that meaningful change starts with listening, accountability, and action. Long live Appalachia, and may James’s memory spark safer roads for every road worker out there.
