State Representatives Paul K. Frost (R-Auburn), John J. Marsi (R-Charlton) and Joseph D. McKenna (R-Sutton), along with Senator Ryan C. Fattman (R-Sutton), announce they have filed a bill to dedicate a section of Route 20 as the Brodeur Curve, in memory of Michael and Kyle Brodeur of Charlton, who were struck head-on by an impaired driver in November of 1997 at the dangerous curve in the Town of Oxford.

Michael was killed and his son Kyle lived with severe brain damage until his untimely passing in 2025 due to the injuries from the accident. For the decades that followed the tragic incident Kyle and his mother, Lisa Brodeur, dedicated themselves to raising awareness of the dangers of impaired driving, educating high school and driver’s ed students, working with drivers who lost their licenses on the consequences of impaired driving, and comforting the victims of motor vehicle accidents and their families.

In sharing their story with the hope to save lives and help others make better choices, Kyle and Lisa’s tireless advocacy not only received recognitions but also led to increased safety measures along Route 20 from the Oxford/Auburn line to Richardson’s Corner in Charlton. Today this section has been dramatically improved through the widening of the roadway and installation of a median barrier separating the opposing directions of travel.

Representative Frost, who represents North Oxford and the area of Charlton along Route 20 where the safety improvements were made, commented, “We are filing this bill in cooperation with MassDOT to recognize the sacrifice and the advocacy of the Brodeur Family. From this terrible tragedy came hope, love and a desire to educate to save lives. Route 20 is a better and safer road to travel than it ever was because of Lisa and Kyle’s advocacy. At one time the curve was referred to as Dead Man’s Curve. Now after the safety improvements and once this bill becomes law, it will be forever known as Brodeur Curve.”

"The Brodeur Family deserves to have this section of Rt. 20 named after them to ensure that Michael and Kyle Brodeur are always remembered,” said Representative Marsi. “The many, many years of advocacy Lisa Brodeur and family gave to improving the road so others can be safer will live on for generations."

"This honorary naming is just a small token of gratitude that we can show to the Brodeur family for their enduring advocacy in light of tragedy and hardship,” added Representative McKenna. “I pray that no more lives will be lost, and that is largely thanks to the family’s decades of enduring commitment to ensuring that this road was rebuilt and made safe."

Senator Fattman said, "The Brodeur family has transformed devastating loss into a mission to keep others safe and prevent even more driving tragedies. The stretch of Route 20 dedicated as Brodeur Curve ensures that Michael and Kyle's story, and Lisa and Kyle's relentless advocacy, remind us that safer roads are built with compassion. I hope and pray that the Brodeur family's impact will be felt by every individual traveling on this roadway."

The Brodeurs turned their loss into decades of giving back to our society, and this legislation honors the family’s efforts to enhance the safety of commuters across our region and the Commonwealth. Additional cosponsors of the bill include Senator Peter Durant, Representative Todd Smola and Representative Donald Berthiaume, among others.