Hit and run inspires petition against alcohol at Siesta Key beach

SARASOTA, Fla - For Cheryl Elsbree and Diane Eduardo, collecting signatures on petition slips is more than just a daily routine.

The sisters lost their other sister, Donna Chen, January 8 when Chen was hit and killed while jogging with her dog, Barney, along Siesta Key Beach.

The Sarasota Sheriff's Office arrested Blake Talman, 22, for the accident and say he is suspected of drinking in the area of Siesta Key Beach before the tragic events.

Chen's sisters want justice for her death.

"We need to protect our beaches and we need to protect our families," said Elsbree. The sisters believe that if Siesta Key had been an alcohol free beach, their sister would be alive today.

The two sisters have started a petition to do just that. Under the umbrella website of www.change.org, they have started an online petition against allowing alcoholic beverages on Siesta Key beach.

"We hope to get 50,000 signatures," said Eduardo.

The sisters have gone to local businesses, family members, and people who knew Chen for signatures.

"It's not easy, but we have to do it. We have to try and make some changes in her honor," said Eduardo.

People who want to sign the petition can go to the sisters' Facebook page called Tea Leaves for Donna Chen.

Talman is still in jail. He has a court date set for February 29th.