BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater resident Suzan “Suzie” Marie Hanna tragically died three years ago from carbon monoxide poisoning after her car got caught in the floodwaters of Hurricane Ida in 2021.
Since then her family has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and to help prevent similar deaths from happening again.
In August 2023, Suzie’s mom Sue went to see Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) to stress the importance of having carbon monoxide poisoning detectors installed in cars.
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“We have them in every other aspect of our life, in our homes. We have sensors in cars for… every little thing. Why can’t we have something to save a person’s life, right?” said Sue to Patch.
Sue felt especially compelled to fight for Suzie’s memory and prevent future tragedies after she said Suzie visited her in a dream a month after she died.
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“She called my name, ‘Mom, Mom’,” said Sue. “She said, ‘I just wanted you to know that I tried to wake up. I really tried to wake up Mom, but I couldn’t.’ So after that dream, I was like, I need to do something. I need somebody to hear her story.”
On Wednesday, Kean heard Suzie’s story and helped the Hanna family to keep Suzie’s memory alive.
Kean spoke on the House floor, honoring the life and legacy of Suzie and also introduced a resolution designating Nov. 20, as Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Awareness Day.
According to the CDC, there are more than 400 deaths and 20,000 emergency room visits each year as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning, said Kean.
Carbon monoxide is often referred to as the silent killer because of its undetectable traits. When people inhale certain amounts of carbon monoxide the gas enters the bloodstream and prevents the intake of oxygen which could result in death.
Suzie, who had just celebrated her 30th birthday the weekend before Hurricane Ida, was driving home from her job in Flemington to the Bradley Gardens section of Bridgewater Township when the storm struck. Read More: ‘Her Heart Was Too Big For This World’: Bridgewater Woman Mourned
On Sept. 2, 2021, Suzie lost her life in Raritan Township(Hunterdon County), caught in the devastating floodwaters caused by the storm.
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In her honor, Kean introduced the resolution that aims to raise awareness of the risks associated with carbon monoxide exposure and to prevent further tragedies like Suzie’s.
“It was amazing. It was overwhelming. It was every emotion, all in one,” said Suzie’s mom Sue of being able to be on the house floor and hear Kean honor her daughter.
See below to hear Congressman Kean’s comments on Suzie Hanna and the new legislation in her honor:
Safety Hammers
Suzie’s family is also urging others to get a ‘safety hammer’ to prevent tragedies like this. The safety hammer can be used to knock out the side window of the car. Sue wants to try to figure out a way to create an initiative where the hammers are given out to students who get their licenses.
“I think it should be mandatory that every car has something like that. I know that you could take the headrest, but Susan was tiny. There are a lot of tiny people that don’t have the strength, or the arms to pull that apart,” said Sue.
Keeping Suzie’s memory alive
To keep her memory and legacy alive, Hanna’s family also launched “Suzie’s Mission” a 501c3 nonprofit organization in her honor.
Suzie was known for always doing everything she possibly could to help others — no matter what. And that’s what her foundation does — helps others. Throughout the year, they host fundraisers that directly support local organizations.
“We’re just following her footsteps. Everything we’re doing is all because of Susan,” said Sue.
The current fundraiser is a toy drive collection at Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School and Bradley Gardens School to help children have a joyous holiday.
To learn more about Suzie’s Mission visit suziesmission.org.
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