Woman charged in wrong-way DUI crash that killed a mother and 2 children, police say

LEE COUNTY, Ga. (WALB/Gray News) — A driver is facing charges in connection with a wrong-way crash in Georgia that killed a mother and two of her children.

Sherita Goddard, 41, is accused of driving under the influence and driving the wrong way on U.S. 82 in Lee County on Jan. 14.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said Goddard crashed into the family’s oncoming vehicle, killing 32-year-old Bernedine Spann, 13-year-old Ja’Leah Spann and 7-year-old Jaxton Spann.

Goddard’s daughter, who investigators said was in the vehicle with Goddard, was also injured in the crash.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said Goddard is charged with:

• Three counts of first-degree homicide by vehicle
• Endangering a child by driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Felony second-degree cruelty to children
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Driving on wrong side of a roadway
• Having an open container in the vehicle

Goddard was released on bond Wednesday.

Officials said Bernedine and Ja’Leah Spann died at the scene. Jaxton Spann died days later at the hospital.

Family and friends of the victims are hoping for full accountability.

Shonda James, who said she was Bernedine’s best friend for 10 years, said she was not only devastated but incredibly angry over the situation.

“She [Goddard] needs to be held accountable to the full extent. She killed people — they did not have to die. She needs to take accountability. She needs to go to jail. I have no sympathy. I have no forgiveness for her at this moment,” James said.

James added, “It was negligent for them to let her drive drunk from wherever she was coming from and it’s the fact that she did not care, she made a conscious decision to get behind the wheel with children in her car and drive on the wrong side of the freaking road.”

Randolph County Schools confirmed Ja’Leah Spann was an eighth-grade student and Jaxton Spann was a second-grade student.

Randolph County Schools said in a statement that counseling and support services would be available to students and staff.

A GoFundMe was set up to support the family.

According to the GoFundMe page, Bernedine leaves behind another son, who was not in the vehicle at the time of the crash. The page said he is “now grieving the devastating loss of his mother, brother and sister.”