Nationwide — Bernedine Spann, a 32-year-old African American mother, and her two children, 13-year-old Ja’Leah Spann and 7-year-old Jaxton Spann, died after a wrong-way driver hit their car in Georgia. Authorities said the driver was suspected of driving under the influence.
According to WLBT, the crash happened Wednesday night on U.S. 82 in Lee County. Police said 41-year-old Sherita Goddard, driving the wrong way, collided head-on with the Spann family’s vehicle. Bernedine and Ja’Leah died at the scene, while Jaxton passed away a few days later at a hospital.
Goddard and a passenger, believed to be her daughter, were also injured and hospitalized. Their conditions have not been publicly reported, and officials have not confirmed whether any charges have been filed.
Family and friends expressed anger and demanded accountability. Bernedine’s best friend, Shonda James, said, “She [Goddard] needs to be held accountable to the full extent. She killed people — they did not have to die. She needs to take accountability. She needs to go to jail. I have no sympathy. I have no forgiveness for her at this moment.”
James added, “It was negligent for them to let her drive drunk from wherever she was coming from and it’s the fact that she did not care, she made a conscience decision to get behind the wheel with children in her car and drive on the wrong side of the freaking road.”
Ja’Leah and Jaxton were students at Randolph County Schools, in eighth and second grade. The school district said counseling and support services are being offered to students and staff after the tragedy.
Bernedine also leaves behind another son, who was not in the car and is now grieving the loss of his mother, brother, and sister.
Moreover, a GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover funeral and medical expenses. It has so far raised nearly $30,000.