The family of a child who was killed in a Friday morning crash is using the petition website change.org to call attention to the blood alcohol content threshold currently allowed for commercial drivers.

Family members could not be reached for immediate comment this afternoon but the link to the petition gives an overview of the case and calls for a reduction of the blood alcohol content from the current .04 to .00 for commercial drivers.

The petition also gives some indication that the driver of the tractor-trailer, William Castenedea of Elizabeth, New Jersey, was allegedly driving with a blood alcohol content above the .04 threshold.

The opening to the petition states, “A tractor trailer driver with a BAC above 0.04% failed to reduce his speed and crashed into several cars that were stopped on a major interstate, ultimately resulting in the death of my two-month-old cousin Reginald Theodore Best.

“The accident happened on Friday and on Sunday my cousin had passed. A life that will never be lived, dreams that will never be realized. An intoxicated driver behind the wheel of a semi should be characterized as operating a weapon of mass destruction.”

Another family member wrote on the website, “My young, tender, sweet cousin was slain by a person who made a conscious choice to drink while under the influence of alcohol. This individual felt comfortable enough to senselessly consume enough alcohol to change lives forever more.

“William Castenedea you are a child killer and a physical and emotional disabler. I bet you hugged your children and grandchildren this weekend but my cousin had to say goodbye/farewell to her son this weekend. You should not have posted bail but (remained) in custody.”

The post continues, “Your posting bail tells me that you feel no remorse for your decision and ultimate consequence for your choice. During unbearable situations like this there should be a law that automatically sets bail at a fixed amount for crimes of this magnitude.”

Another person wrote, “This is important to me because this driver's actions have negatively impacted the lives of close friends, specifically, and the world community in general because Reginald Best will never reach his God-designed destiny.

“Some would say God knew his fate, but I beg to differ. I believe Mr. Castenedea’s actions prematurely ended this child's life. I add my voice to this petition because we can never stop seeking justice on behalf of those who die at the hands of irresponsible drunk drivers.”

The child, according to a report sent to state Highway Patrol headquarters, was the most severely injured passenger in a third crash caused by an initial collision with a bear.

The child was flown to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville in critical condition and died Sunday.

The chain of events began shortly after 12:45 Friday morning in the northbound lane of Interstate 95 near the 160-mile marker in the Enfield area when a motorist struck a bear.

The initial collision caused a second collision and then a third involving five passenger vehicles when Castenedea, 58, allegedly failed to reduce speed in his tractor-trailer and plowed into the other vehicles.

Castenedea walked away from the crash without injuries but was arrested for DWI and felony injury. It is expected upon conference with the Halifax County District Attorney’s Office the felony injury charge will be upgraded.

Castenedea was released on $4,500 secured bond and has a November 7 court date.

Several other passengers from the multiple vehicle collision were taken to Halifax Regional Medical Center in Roanoke Rapids for treatment, according to the report.

The Highway Patrol declined to release blood alcohol content information on the driver. The threshold for commercial drivers is .04.