COWETA COUNTY, Ga. — A Coweta County family is mourning the loss of a 2-year-old who was killed in a crash involving a suspected drunk driver over the weekend. The girl’s mother also suffered severe injuries.
The family says Samiya Williams, 2, died in the crash on State Route 41 in the Moreland community of Coweta County on Saturday night.
Williams’ mother, 30-year-old Jada Jackson, nearly lost an arm and is still fighting for her life in the hospital.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
“My baby didn’t have to go out this way. She didn’t have to go out this way,” Williams’ grandmother, Erica Jackson, told Channel 2′s Matt Johnson.
Georgia State Patrol says 30-year-old Jose Diaz swerved into oncoming traffic and hit the car Jada Jackson was driving head-on.
“If you would have stayed off that steering wheel, my baby would be here today,” Erica Jackson said.
While Erica Jackson and Jada’s aunt, Wendy Keith, mourn, they are praying Jada Jackson will get healthy enough to come home.
“This is a lot of pain that we are enduring right now. But I know we got to stay strong for Jada,” Keith said.
Thankfully, Jada Jackson’s 5-year-old daughter was not in the car with them.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Remains found in car that belonged to Georgia student who disappeared 45 years ago
- Daughter, mother killed in separate hit-and-runs within weeks of each other
- Family wants answers for how former NFL player died following arrest in Alabama
This deadly crash was not the only one to take place in the metro Atlanta area over the weekend.
In DeKalb County, police say a hit and run driver killed Jasmine Gaither when an earlier crash made her wait on the side of I-85 for help.
In Gwinnett County, police are looking for someone who killed Julio Sandoval as he crossed the street.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Police have not confirmed that alcohol, but representatives with Mothers Against Drunk Driving say it is not uncommon for DUI crashes to spike in the winter because of holiday gatherings.
“Every drink increases your BAC. And every time your BAC increases, your impairs you to some level,” said Curtis Winston with Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
When you’re sober and realize what you have done. You’re gonna suffer with that pain of taking a life is not worth it,” Keith told Johnson.
Samiya’s family still has her stocking hanging in their home. They say she was their gift this holiday season that was taken from them too soon.
A memorial lantern release is being held at Saint Smyrna Baptist Church on Sunday, December 12 at 4:30 p.m.
If you would like to donate to the family, click here.
IN OTHER NEWS:
This browser does not support the video element.