In Memory, In Action: 3rd-i and Baylie’s Wish Foundation Partner to Help College Students Stay Safe in Rideshares
At 3rd-i, our mission is clear: no student should feel alone, vulnerable, or unsupported—especially during something as routine as getting a ride home. That’s why we’re honored to announce a powerful partnership with Baylie’s Wish Foundation, a nonprofit founded in memory of Baylie Grogan, a bright, compassionate, and driven University of Miami student whose story is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly a night out can take a tragic turn.
Baylie’s Story: The Reality of Being “Too Responsible to Be at Risk”
Baylie Grogan was everything we hope our daughters, sisters, and friends will be—smart, kind, driven, and responsible. Nicknamed “the mother hen,” she was the one making sure everyone else got home safely. She worked full-time as a lifeguard, waitressed weekends, and took extra summer credits to transition from microbiology to neuroscience—all while maintaining strong ties with her family and sorority sisters at the University of Miami.
But during the first weekend back to school in 2021, Baylie let her guard down—just once.
Two men claiming to be med students offered her a ride. Trusting them, Baylie canceled her Uber. Quickly, she realized it was all a lie. They drove her in circles, refusing to give their real names. She began texting her friends:
“I’m with some random bros… they’re sketchy.”
At one point, they stopped at an apartment. One man came back with a suspicious cup of water and tried to pressure her to drink it. Baylie texted her roommate:
“They are trying to get me to drink the water—too much.”
She spilled it, which upset the men and the driver who stopped the car. One went into a club and came back with another water. By then, Baylie was gone.
What Happened Next
Disoriented, Baylie called her friends.
“Something’s wrong… you need to come get me.”
“Call an Uber,” they said.
“I don’t know how,” Baylie replied.
It was 3 a.m. It was pouring rain. Her friends were three miles away, uncertain of what to do. They had no emergency ride backup, no live location or stream to monitor, and no clear understanding of when it was appropriate to call 911. They told her to walk home.
Shortly after, Baylie was struck by a car.
She spent six weeks in the ICU before succumbing to her injuries.
Baylie’s Wish Foundation: Turning Tragedy into Action
Baylie’s mother, Shawnee Baker, co-founded Baylie’s Wish Foundation to shine a light on the hidden dangers of college life and the gaps that leave even the most prepared students vulnerable. The foundation educates families and students about real risks—like impaired decision-making, legal gray areas, and what happens when there’s no one there to say, “stay put.”
They also raise awareness about broader issues like the Clery Act, medical privacy laws like HIPAA, and the absence of policies like Power of Attorney and amnesty laws that could have changed Baylie’s outcome.
“If it could happen to Baylie,” Shawnee says, “it could happen to anyone.”
Why Baylie’s Wish Is Partnering with 3rd-i
At 3rd-i, we believe no one should face danger alone. Our app allows users to stream and record live video, audio, and location to trusted friends, family, or dispatchers—providing situational awareness and a support network when it matters most. Our goal is to help people stay safer, more connected, and better prepared and ultimately save lives. We have already had multiple incidents in Miami in which our app has been used to do just this.
“Baylie’s story never leaves you,” says Dillon Abend, founder of 3rd-i and fellow University of Miami student. “What happened to her could happen to any student. This partnership is about providing tools and knowledge that didn’t exist the night Baylie needed them.”
What We’re Building—Together
Through this partnership, Baylie’s Wish Foundation and 3rd-i will work to:
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Launch nationwide awareness campaigns on the risks of unsafe rideshare encounters
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Develop educational programming on safety strategies, decision-making, and knowing your options
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Host campus outreach events to equip students with practical, real-world tools
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Advocate for better campus transparency, safety tech access, and emergency support systems
We’re not just telling students to “be safe”—we’re giving them a way to stay seen, heard, and supported.
A Legacy That Demands Action
Baylie Grogan’s story is not just heartbreaking—it’s a call to action. A reminder that tragedy doesn’t discriminate based on responsibility, GPA, or good intentions.
“As a mother, I would give anything to rewrite Baylie’s story,” said Shawnee Baker, Executive Director
and Co-Founder of Baylie’s Wish Foundation. “But I can’t. What I can do is fight every day to make sure
no other student finds themselves alone, afraid, and without resources. Partnering with 3rd-i brings us
one step closer to a future where students are safer, more informed, and better prepared.”
Learn more: 🔗 www.3rd-i.com🔗 www.baylieswish.org
For Baylie. For the ones who look out for others. For the next student walking home in the rain—let’s help them stay safe.