RUSKIN, Fla. — Around tables at Gannon University, the energy is high. There are 28 physical therapy students just hours away from crossing the stage and turning their tassels. But one seat is empty.

“She always made friends. She was a loyal friend. She was ambitious,” said Stewart Payne.

His daughter, Jaida Payne, was killed back in January 2023 when her car crashed into a guardrail on I-75 at the I-4 exit. Her father would later learn the guardrail had been previously damaged and left unprotected.

“It’s been rough,” her father said.

Through a records request, we learned that the guardrail had been part of an accident weeks prior and was currently undergoing repairs. The contractor hired by the state had asked for an extension to fix the damaged guardrail end. They told the state it would be finished Jan. 6. Jaida crashed into the guardrail on Jan. 5. Photos we obtained showed there was nothing protecting the guardrail besides a few barrels.

“They needed to install something that could actually do something in the event someone went off the road. What they left instead were a few blunt ends. Blunt ends are obviously very dangerous,” engineer Kevin Schrum told us back in 2023.

For the Payne family, grief turned into action.

“We’ve had a legal situation regarding the accident. That is resolved. But now we’re moving on to try to effect change,” Payne said.

That change includes pressing the state to track damaged guardrails more efficiently, enforce quicker, safer repairs and require contractors to keep parts in stock for emergency fixes.

“Contractors should have adequate inventory. As part of the contract, they should be required to maintain sufficient supplies for rapid repair,” Payne said.

He sent letters to every state senator on Florida’s Transportation Committee about the changes he’d like to see made.

“I think there is an awareness, but I don’t think they realize how bad the guardrail situation really is,” Payne said. 

While they push for change out on the roads, the Paynes brought a message to her classmates at Gannon University in hopes it would help with the change happening in their lives.

“We want to help you all with your licensing exam and inside the envelopes there are checks to cover the fees for your licensing exam. Good luck to you all,” Jaida’s parents told the students.

Gannon University honored Jaida’s memory with a degree in memoriam given to her parents.

We reached out to the Florida Department of Transportation regarding the changes the Payne family is asking for, and as of this report, we have not received a response.

You can watch the Emmy-award-winning series “Unguarded” streaming on 10 Tampa Bay+. Following our investigation, FDOT told us one-third of guardrails in Florida would be repaired or replaced by December 2023.