‘Doesn’t make any sense.’ Mom, daughter die weeks apart in Georgia crashes, family says
A family said they were mourning the loss of their mother when their sister was killed in a similar Georgia crash.
Jasmine “Jasì Badu” Gaither was a few days from celebrating her 32nd birthday when her life was cut short, leaving her loved ones to plan for her burial instead, according to her sister Brittany Flournoy.
“She could’ve lived on with her life and celebrated her birthday,” Flournoy said in a Dec. 8 WXIA report. “She could’ve met someone and had a child. This was all taken from her.”
Just weeks earlier, Gaither’s mother reportedly was killed when a driver ran into her in October. Tomika Ivery was 50 years old when she died at the scene, Flournoy told McClatchy News in a phone interview.
After the death of her mom, the DeKalb County Police Department said Gaither was riding in a car when it crashed on Dec. 3.
She was part of a group waiting for first responders on the side of Interstate 85 south when officials said a driver trying to change lanes slammed into a car and lost control. The driver then hit Gaither and ran into the woods, WAGA reported.
DeKalb police said it happened near North Druid Hills, northeast of downtown Atlanta. Gaither was taken to a hospital, where she died from crash-related injuries the next day.
“For this to turn around and happen to my sister, it doesn’t make any sense,” Flournoy told WXIA.
Gaither is remembered as a creative person who enjoyed photography and was interested in the music industry. Her family told WGCL she was expected to help out after the death of their mother.
The accused I-85 driver — identified as Lester C. Rodriguez — was charged with first-degree homicide by vehicle, reckless driving, felony hit and run, and suspended license. Police in a news release didn’t list attorney information for him.
This story was originally published December 9, 2021 at 8:13 AM with the headline "‘Doesn’t make any sense.’ Mom, daughter die weeks apart in Georgia crashes, family says."
