ATLANTA, Ga. — A Newton County family is grieving the loss of 19-year-old Jaylah Donald and her unborn son after a tragic crash involving a suspected drunken driver just hours after Thanksgiving celebrations.
Details of the Tragic Incident
According to the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), the crash occurred just after midnight Friday on Fairview Road in Covington. Jaylah was riding with her mother, Takila Donald, when another vehicle struck the passenger side of their car.
Investigators reported that Takila Donald was “improperly” backing onto Fairview Road when the collision happened. The suspected DUI driver hit the Donalds’ vehicle with significant force, killing Jaylah instantly. Her unborn baby also did not survive the crash.
Takila Donald was airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital, where she remains in critical condition.
Family Speaks on Unimaginable Loss
Jaylah’s grandmother, Genette Anderson, described the shock and heartbreak of receiving the call about her granddaughter’s death.
“When I first got up there, I couldn’t breathe,” Anderson said. “I got to be the strong person and accept it because I can’t question God. At the end of the day, we’re all going to have our number.”
The family had gathered for Thanksgiving before the accident occurred. Jaylah and her mother had left home to drop off a neighbor when tragedy struck.
Remembering Jaylah and Her Dreams
A recent graduate of Maynard Jackson High School, Jaylah had shared her plans to attend college after the birth of her son. Hours before the crash, she told her father, Jonathan Ponds, that he would soon be a grandfather.
“It was crazy to find out that I was going to be a grandfather, and then a couple hours later, I lose my daughter and my grandson,” Ponds said. “I was actually very ready to embrace the role.”
Community Tribute and Ongoing Investigation
On Sunday night, more than 50 friends and family members gathered to release purple balloons into the night sky, symbolizing love and remembrance for Jaylah and her baby boy.
A GoFundMe page has been created to help the family cover funeral and memorial expenses as they continue to support Takila’s recovery.
Meanwhile, GSP’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is investigating the crash. Authorities suspect the driver who struck the Donalds was under the influence of alcohol, and charges are pending against both drivers.
Broader Safety Concerns
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk driving remains a deadly problem during holiday weekends. Between 2019 and 2023, more than one-third of all Thanksgiving traffic fatalities involved alcohol-impaired drivers.
As the community mourns the loss of two young lives, the tragedy serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating consequences of driving under the influence.
Stay with HonkNews.com for continued coverage as investigators release updates and the family seeks justice for Jaylah and her unborn son.