The Fitch Law Firm LLC believes in empowering the next generation of advocates through higher education. Starting last year, our firm awarded a $2,500 Truck Accident Awareness Scholarship to a student who thoughtfully addresses the dangers of commercial truck accidents and offers meaningful solutions. This year’s recipient is Isabella Cumberland, an undergraduate student from Bradenton, Florida, entering her first year at Florida State University.
A Powerful Message and a Proposed Solution
Isabella’s powerful and deeply personal essay, “Awake at the Wheel: Tackling Fatigue to Save Lives,” stood out among other submissions. Drawing on a chilling experience from her childhood, she described the emotional impact of waking up to a devastating news headline: a fatal semi-truck crash that took the lives of five children and two adults on the same route her own family had traveled days earlier. That memory sparked a desire to make road safety a personal mission.
In her essay, Isabella proposes a virtual reality (VR) training program for commercial truck drivers, combined with AI-powered feedback systems, to combat one of the most under-addressed threats on our roads: fatigue.
“Fatigue doesn’t make a sound. It doesn’t slam the brakes or swerve out of the way,” she writes. “It quietly takes over, and when it does, lives are lost.”
Her idea is both innovative and grounded in data, offering drivers immersive simulations that demonstrate how fatigue impairs reaction times and decision-making. By allowing drivers to experience the effects in a safe, controlled environment, Isabella believes lives can be saved before a single mile is driven.
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Isabella’s Scholastic Success and Employment Goals
Isabella’s passion for advocacy extends beyond the page. A 4.0 student and consistent Dean’s List honoree, she has already completed over 30 college credit hours. She is planning to major in English and minor in Crime Scene Investigations, with the goal of attending law school and pursuing a career in immigration law and international affairs.
Outside of academics, Isabella is committed to giving back. She has volunteered extensively with a local community art center, helping to create safe, creative spaces for children.
About the Truck Accident Awareness Scholarship
To qualify for the Truck Accident Awareness Scholarship, applicants must write a 1,000- to 1,500-word essay addressing two core themes: increasing awareness around truck accident safety and offering creative solutions to prevent future incidents. Applicants must also:
- Hold a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Be enrolled in or accepted to an accredited U.S. college or university
- Submit proof of enrollment and an unofficial transcript
- Agree to the scholarship’s terms and conditions
All essays are reviewed by The Fitch Law Firm LLC’s scholarship selection committee, and one winner is chosen each year following a thorough judging process.
The Fitch Law Firm LLC: Advocating for Safer Roads and Stronger Futures
The Fitch Law Firm LLC has a long-standing commitment to supporting victims of negligence and promoting public safety. By awarding this annual scholarship, the firm hopes to encourage students like Isabella to become active participants in the fight for safer highways.
For more than 30 years, The Fitch Law Firm LLC has helped injured Ohioans recover from devastating accidents, including commercial truck crashes, and secured over $150 million in verdicts and settlements. The team continues to champion victims’ rights and support safety-focused initiatives across the state.
As Isabella Cumberland begins her academic journey at Florida State University, she carries with her the honor of this scholarship and the responsibility of advocacy, a responsibility she clearly embraces with compassion, intelligence, and drive.
