CORDELE, Ga. (WALB) — The family of a father and his 7-year-old daughter killed in a drunk driving crash last Halloween is calling on the community to demand accountability—as the accused driver remains free on bond with no trial date set.

Jaylan Bell, 30, and Za’riah Ward were killed Oct. 31, 2025, when Bailey Green allegedly drove nearly 100 mph and crashed the vehicle they were traveling in on a Cordele roadway. Green faces six counts of homicide by vehicle in the first degree, along with charges of aggravated assault, DUI, reckless driving and speeding, among others.

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Bell and Za’riah were on their way from the Atlanta airport to Albany to celebrate a family member’s wedding and Za’riah’s upcoming eighth birthday when the crash occurred.

“This was not just an accident; it was a devastating reminder of the dangers and consequences of impaired driving,” the family wrote in a statement. “A decision made by one person changed countless lives forever and took away two people who were deeply loved and had so much more life ahead of them.”

Za’riah’s mother and a friend who were also in the vehicle survived but were seriously injured.

Green is currently out on a $100,000 bond. The Crisp County Superior Court Clerk’s Office confirmed no court appearance is scheduled in the case.

The family has now launched a petition urging the community to push for the case to move forward.

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“Our family is now facing the difficult journey of seeking justice through the legal system, with the timing of the trial still uncertain,” the family wrote. “We believe the person responsible must be held accountable under the full extent of the law for the reckless actions that took Jaylan and Za’riah from us.”

The Crisp County courts confirmed Green was indicted December 2025.

WALB reached out the the District Attorney’s office for comment on the case timeline but was told DA Brad Rigby was out this week.

WALB previously investigated the Cordele Judicial Circuit revealing more than 4,200 unindicted or pending criminal cases in several counties, including Crisp County.

You can find the online petition here: https://c.org/zGsDDrCcsb

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