Holiday tragedy | Pregnant 19-year-old killed, mother hurt in crash troopers allege involved impaired driver
She said as the night was wrapping up, Jaylah’s mother was going to give a neighbor a ride home. The house was just down the street along Fairview Road in Covington.
Anderson said as her daughter was backing up, they were hit. Jaylah was sitting in the passenger seat.
Troopers said the driver hit them on the passenger side. Jaylah died on scene. Her mother was flown to Grady in Atlanta.
As of Friday night, Anderson said her daughter is on a ventilator and they’re unsure if she’s going pull through.
“Just keep our family in your prayers,” Anderson said.
The sudden loss has devastated the family, who are now grappling with both Jaylah’s death and the death of her unborn son.
“You know, I’m just numb,” she said.
Jaylah’s godmother, Nekeshia Johnson, described her as someone whose presence could lift anyone’s mood.
“Very caring, loving, always smiled. Her smile would make you just smile,” Johnson explained.
Family members reflected on Jaylah’s childhood and the signature grin she carried with her everywhere.
“Definitely going to miss that smile,” one relative said. “Oh my God, she smiled so much when she was little. She won best smile in her day care. That girl used to smile so much.”
As they wait for updates on Jaylah’s mother, the family is leaning heavily on prayer and the community.
“We’re gonna miss Jaylah.”
A fundraiser was also created to help the family with funeral expenses for Jaylah.
The Georgia State Patrol continues to investigate the crash. Authorities have not released the identity of the other driver. Charges are expected once the investigation is complete.
