Three Beautiful Lives Tragically Taken

by Brittney Rhodes
(Evington, VA, USA)

On October 27 2000 my cousin Taron (13), his mother Ramona(36), sister Whitney(11), and one of his best friends Jonathan(13) were coming home from a Friday night high school homecoming football game. They celebrated the victory of their high school team winning the game with friends and family before driving home. At around 11pm they were traveling north on route 43 (Campbell County Virginia) and was struck head on by a drunk driver. Not only was the driver of the oncoming car drunk, he had no insurance or a drivers license. My cousin Taron and his mother Ramona were both killed on impact. Jonathan and Whitney were fighting for their lives while being airlifted to local hospitals. During the flight Jonathan died of injuries he sustained from the accident. Whitney remained in ICU for many months and had to undergo multiple surgeries all over her body. The following year (May) the drunk driver was sentenced to 24 years; 7 years for each fatality, 1 year for maiming, and 2 years for driving without a license. I think 24 years for taking 3 innocent lives is ridiculous. Each day I think about my cousin. Whitney, Taron, and I along with numerous cousins of ours would always do stuff together. Taron and I were both the same age and I always wonder what it would be like if he was living today. God Bless every victim of drunk driving and God bless the souls who are fighting every day to end drunk driving.

Rest in Peace

Taron Woodruff, Jonathan Anthony, and Ramona Woodruff
*Gone but will NEVER be Forgotten*