A Georgia woman suspected of being under the influence during a wrong-way crash that killed a mother and her two children has been arrested in connection with their deaths, according to records viewed by Us Weekly.
Sherita Goddard, 41, was driving in the opposite direction along U.S. 82 in Lee County when she slammed into Bernedine Spann’s vehicle the evening of January 14, according to the Georgia State Patrol, WALB reported.
Bernedine, 32, had been driving with her daughter Ja’Leah Spann, 13, and her son, Jaxton Spann, 7, officials said, according to the TV station. Bernedine and Ja’Leah died that night, while Jaxton was airlifted to a hospital for treatment.
Jaxton died in his father’s arms a few days later, on January 18, James Spann wrote in a January 19 Facebook post.
“My baby boy [transitioned] to be with his mother and sister taking his last breath and heartbeat in my arms,” James said.
“Don’t drink and drive it takes [others’] lives,” James added.
A GoFundMe page created for the Spann family says that “Jaxton suffered critical injuries and fought bravely while hospitalized.”
On Monday, January 26, authorities arrested Goddard in their deaths, WALB reported. Deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office took her into custody.
Goddard is facing a slew of criminal charges, including three counts of first-degree homicide by vehicle, endangering a child by driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, second-degree cruelty to children, driving under the influence of alcohol, wrong side of roadway, safety belt violation, and open container, records show.
Information on whether Goddard has retained legal representation was not immediately available.
Goddard is being held in jail on a $79,550 bond, according to records.
Goddard had been driving her daughter when she struck the Spann family, according to investigators, WALB reported. Her daughter was also injured in the crash, but the extent of her injuries was unclear.
Shonda James, who told WALB that she was Bernedine’s best friend, said that Goddard “needs to be held accountable to the full extent.”
“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,” James said while speaking with the TV station.
A funeral for Bernedine, Ja’Leah and Jaxton will be held in Dawson on January 31, according to James Spann.
In a statement shared after Jaxton’s death and obtained by WRDW, the Randolph County School System, which was the boy’s school district, said “Our hearts are broken as we grieve the loss of this precious child and his dear family members.”
Jaxton was a second-grade student, according to the school district, which described him as “a very special child who brought joy, light, and warmth to our schools.”
“His smile, kindness, and sweet spirit touched the lives of his classmates, teachers, and staff,” the statement added.
In a Monday, January 26, Facebook post, James shared that Jaxton was named January’s student of the month at Randolph County Elementary School.
He wrote that the honor was “bittersweet.”
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