This powerful film imagines the alternative future of a young victim of distracted driving

A powerful new campaign from insurance brand Travelers highlights the tragedies caused by distracted driving--by imagining the future that would have played out for real-life victims had they not been killed. 

The first film in the "Unfinished Stories" series, by TBWA/Chiat/Day New York, tells the story of Phillip LaVallee, a track star at the South Dakota State University who, at age 19, was out for his daily run when he was struck from behind and killed by a distracted driver. The film begins with an interview with his parents, who speak fondly about how their son was friends with everyone, even the mailman who he passed each day on his running route. They also speak of his dream to compete in the 2018 Olympics in Rio.

The film “The Route” then "completes" Phillip’s story by animating it as it could have played out. It begins with the distracted driver not answering her cellphone call and ends with Phillip about to compete in the Olympic Stadium in Rio -- with his parents and the mailman cheering him on. It's a bittersweet message, and the film is beautifully animated by Psyop with direction by Trevor Conrad (Variable worked on the live action segments).

Additional films breaking in the coming weeks will tell the story of Shreya Dixit, age 19, and of Howard Stein, age 61, who were also killed by distracted drivers. According to the agency, each film will have a distinct animation style that best captures their stories.