A quiet Wednesday night turned into an unspeakable tragedy for one Georgia family when a suspected drunk driver traveling the wrong way on U.S. 82 struck their vehicle, killing a mother and two of her children and leaving a community reeling.
Authorities have identified the victims as 32‑year‑old Bernedine Spann, 13‑year‑old Ja’Leah Spann and 7‑year‑old Jaxton Spann — beloved members of their family whose lives ended far too soon in a crash now being investigated by the Georgia State Patrol. Bernedine and Ja’Leah died at the scene, and Jaxton succumbed to his injuries days later at a hospital.
The family’s pain was laid bare in a Facebook post by the children’s father, James Spann, who wrote, “prayers prayers prayers as Jaxton Dontrez Spann transition over to be with his mom and sister.”
A Wrong‑Way Impact With Devastating Consequences
According to law enforcement, 41‑year‑old Sherita Goddard is suspected of driving under the influence and entering the highway in the wrong direction before colliding with the Spann family’s vehicle. Goddard and a passenger — believed to be her daughter — were also injured and hospitalized.
Details on whether charges have been filed have not yet been released.
Family and friends of the Spann family have called for accountability. Shonda James, who described herself as Bernedine’s best friend for over a decade, expressed profound grief and anger.
“She needs to be held accountable to the full extent,” James said. “She killed people — they did not have to die. … I have no sympathy. I have no forgiveness for her at this moment.”
James added that the suspected driver made the conscious choice to drive drunk with children in her vehicle and in the wrong direction on a busy highway — a decision she said was “negligent” and avoidable.
Community and Support Efforts
The news has hit the local community hard. Randolph County Schools confirmed that Ja’Leah was an eighth‑grade student and Jaxton was in second grade, saying that counseling and support services will be available to students and staff affected by the tragedy.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support the surviving members of the Spann family, including another young son who was not in the car at the time of the crash and is now grieving the devastating loss of his mother and siblings.
A Family Forever Changed
This heartbreaking incident serves as a solemn reminder of the horrific consequences of impaired and reckless driving.
For the Spann family and their community, the pain of this loss will endure, and many are calling for justice as emotions run deep and the search for accountability continues.
