MCStrong was a phrase used by many after the death of Michael Collins. (Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – The early morning of March 28 changed the lives of many after a drunk-driving accident at the intersection of Main and Empire streets in Bloomington led to the death of Michael Collins, 22, of Bloomington less than a week later.

Collins was an Illinois State University student, had played baseball at Heartland Community College, was an assistant baseball coach at U-High, a brother, a son, and a friend to many. At his visitation, Colton Moore called Collins a "great friend."

"If you were in the worst mood in your entire life and you walked into a room with that guy there's no way you couldn't smile," said Moore. "He was a very enthusiastic person, he was a great guy, he had a smile on his face all the time."

Heartland baseball coach Nate Metzger said Collins had the ability to bring out the best in people.

"Just constantly putting smiles on people's face," said Metzger. "(He) had the ability to kind of be the class clown and keep things light and loose."

The community rallied around the phrase "MCStrong" and a massive pay it forward effort began reaching people all over the country. Brock Stewart, another friend of Collins, described what MCStrong means to him.

"Whenever I'm down or don't want to do something I just think, 'It could be a lot worse,'" said Stewart. "I think about Michael and how he would attack this situation; he would want to do his best and he would want to show people how strong that he was and how he could do anything."

Jamie Webb, 37, of Bloomington was the drunk driver in the accident, which also injured three others. She pleaded guilty to aggravated DUI charges and was sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Collins' father Jim spoke at Webb's sentencing hearing.

"Somebody once said time heals all wounds. I doubt that person ever had their 22-year-old son ripped away from them in such a senseless and horrific way," said Jim. "There's not a day that goes by that I don't have some kind of flashback to the night of the crash and the gut wrenching days that followed."

Collins' mother Kelly also spoke.

"We miss him every moment of everyday," Kelly said.

Webb expressed how much regret she has for the decision she made that night.

"The remorse is so deep, it's like an aching pain that won't go away," said Webb. "There's not a moment that goes by that I don't wish that I can replay that day."

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].