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Barber sustained serious injuries and subsequently served 3.5 years in prison for vehicular manslaughter.
At the time of the 1991 accident, Barber had returned home to Southern California to attend college after spending four years in the Army and one year working on a fishing boat in Alaska.
In addition to sharing his story, Barber will focus on the experiences of other victims of alcohol-related crashes.
He also presents students with a personal contract that encourages the use of seat belts and warns against drinking and driving.
"I have taken my message to thousands of students in hopes that they will never have to endure the pain that I have had to live with," said Barber, currently a resident of Phelan, California. "Through my speaking and prevention efforts, I want to make a lasting impression on those students and equip them with the knowledge and tools to help them make safe and responsible decisions."
After serving his sentence, Barber worked towards a degree in Human Services with a focus on drug and alcohol counseling. He also organized drug and alcohol groups for at-risk youth and taught workshops to improve relationships between parents and teens. He currently spends his time working on a book about his life experiences.
Hartford Distributors, Inc. looks forward to sponsoring Barber's message of the consequences of drinking and driving.
"Many of our employees are parents and we're committed to helping our young people stay safe," said Linda Davidson, the company's consumer awareness and education coordinator. "Jason's story makes a powerful impact and brings a message to high school students that they will learn from and never forget."
Barber will speak at Newington High School Friday, April 11 at 1 p.m.
