On the evening of July 26th, 2021, tragedy struck on a California freeway when two young children were killed while retrieving luggage that had fallen out of their family’s SUV. The driver of the vehicle, identified as 28-year-old Grace Elizabeth Coleman, was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) and gross vehicular manslaughter.
According to reports, Coleman was driving her Chevrolet Tahoe on the 210 Freeway in La Verne when a piece of luggage fell out of the vehicle onto the roadway. Coleman pulled over to the shoulder and her two children, ages 3 and 5, got out of the car to retrieve the luggage. As they were doing so, a Toyota Corolla driven by a 24-year-old woman struck the SUV and the two children.
Tragically, both children were pronounced dead at the scene. Coleman and her two other children, ages 1 and 2, were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the Toyota Corolla was also taken to the hospital with moderate injuries.
After investigating the incident, authorities determined that Coleman was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. She was arrested and booked on suspicion of DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter. She is currently being held on a $2 million bail.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence. Not only can it result in serious injury or death for oneself, but it can also have devastating consequences for innocent bystanders. In this case, two young children lost their lives due to someone else’s reckless behavior.
It’s important for everyone to understand that driving under the influence is never worth the risk. If you plan on drinking, make sure to have a designated driver or use a ride-sharing service. And if you see someone who appears to be driving under the influence, don’t hesitate to report it to the authorities.
As for Coleman, she will likely face serious legal consequences for her actions. But no amount of punishment can bring back the two young lives that were lost. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the children who were killed in this tragic incident.
