LEE COUNTY/SHELLMAN, Ga. (WALB) - A 7-year old boy whose mother and sister both died the night of Wednesday, Jan. 14 in a wrong-way crash on US-82 is recovering in a hospital from his injuries.

Officials identified the deceased as 32-year-old Bernerdine Spann and 13-year-old Ja’Leah Spann. Jaxton Spann, the 7-year-old boy, was removed from vehicle and was airlifted to an unnamed hospital where he is receiving care.

According to the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), 41-year-old Sherita Goodard is suspected of driving under the influence when her Hyundai Tucson struck a westbound Honda Accord. Goodard and a passenger, believed to be her daughter, were both injured and hospitalized. Their conditions have not been reported.

Family remembers victims

Family members remember the mother and daughter for the life they lived and the way they treated others.

“Bernedine was the type of person to just love everyone. She didn’t care who you were, she would love you. And her daughter had her same personality. You could not be sad around Leah at all. They were great people overall,” a family member, Morgan Spann, said.

A GoFundMe was set up to support the family. If you would like to donate, you can do so here.

Randolph County Schools’ response

Randolph County Schools released a statement on the passing of Ja’Leah. She was an 8th grade student at Randolph County Middle School.

The Randolph County School system said, in part:

"As we mourn this profound loss, we invite our community to come together in compassion, faith and love. May we honor the lives of Bernedine and Ja’Leah by surrounding their family with kindness, support and continued prayers. We recognize that such heartbreaking news can be especially difficult for our students. Counseling and support services are available for students, faculty and staff who may need help processing this loss."

Friends demand accountability

Shonda James, who said she was Benerdine’s best friend for 10 years, expressed anger about the suspected DUI.

“I am angry. I have worked with that lady before. 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,” James said.

James called for the driver to face consequences.

“She needs to be held accountable to the full extent. She killed two 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 said.

WALB News 10 has not been able to confirm if Sherita Goodard has been charged.

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