Bernedine Spann, Ja’Leah Spann – A tragic crash in Lee County, Georgia, has claimed the lives of a mother and two of her children after a collision involving a wrong-way driver on U.S. 82. The victims have been identified as 32-year-old Bernedine Spann, 13-year-old Ja’Leah Spann, and 7-year-old Jaxton Spann. Bernedine and Ja’Leah Spann were pronounced dead at the scene, while Jaxton Spann succumbed to his injuries days later in the hospital.
Family members shared their heartbreak publicly, with the children’s father, James Spann, posting on social media about Jaxton’s passing, noting that his son had joined his mother and sister. The loss has sent shockwaves through the local community, where family, friends, and neighbors are mourning the sudden tragedy.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, the crash involved a driver believed to be under the influence, who was traveling the wrong way on the highway when she collided with the Spann family’s vehicle. The driver, 41-year-old Sherita Goddard, and a passenger, reportedly her daughter, were both injured and hospitalized. Officials have not released details about their conditions or whether criminal charges have been filed, though authorities continue to investigate the incident.
The incident has sparked calls for accountability from the family and community. Bernedine’s close friend of ten years, Shonda James, expressed her devastation and anger over the situation, emphasizing that the crash was preventable. She said the driver’s actions were negligent and that there should be full responsibility for the deaths of Bernedine and her children.
Community members and officials are rallying around the family to offer support during this difficult time. Randolph County Schools confirmed that Ja’Leah Spann was an eighth-grade student and Jaxton Spann was in the second grade. The school district announced that counseling and support services would be available for students, staff, and anyone affected by the tragedy.
A GoFundMe page has also been established to help support the family as they cope with the loss. According to the page, Bernedine Spann leaves behind another son, who was not in the vehicle at the time of the crash. He is now facing the difficult reality of grieving the death of his mother, brother, and sister. Community members are encouraged to contribute or provide assistance in other ways to help the family navigate this devastating period.
Authorities continue to investigate the crash to determine the full circumstances, including the driver’s actions and any contributing factors. Officials are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward to assist with the investigation.
The tragic deaths of Bernedine, Ja’Leah, and Jaxton Spann highlight the serious consequences of impaired or reckless driving and have deeply affected their community. As family, friends, and neighbors mourn, local organizations and support services are working to provide resources to help those grieving.
This heartbreaking incident underscores the importance of road safety and the impact of preventable accidents on families and communities, leaving a lasting mark on everyone affected.
