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The driver suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol in the accident in which a 7-year-old child died was arrested
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The driver suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol in the accident in which a 7-year-old child died was arrested

DETROIT (WXYZ) – Last Saturday, a suspected drunk driver crashed into two vehicles at the corner of 7 Mile and Mound, killing 7-year-old Jerome Coleman Jr.

EXTENDED INTERVIEW: Family of 7-year-old boy who died in an accident suspected of drunk driving speaks out

EXTENDED INTERVIEW: Family of 7-year-old boy who died in an accident suspected of drunk driving speaks out

The driver, who does not live in Detroit, initially fled but was arrested when he returned to the scene two hours later and his blood alcohol level reached double digits on a breathalyzer, police said.

On Tuesday, 30-year-old Ahmad Jastta of Roseville was charged in connection with the crash. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy charged him with one count of Operating While Intoxicated, Causing Death and three counts of Operating While Intoxicated, Causing Serious Injury.

But Junior’s aunt, Jawyna Griffin, says her nephew will never return, no matter what.

“My whole family has been traumatized, nothing prepared me for the images in my head. I can’t close my eyes.” said Jawyna.

This security footage shows the crash. You can see the white car speeding west on 7 Mile, jumping the red light and hitting two vehicles.

We paused the footage just before the crash, but Jawyna says her twin sister Tawyna’s vehicle was tilted.

EXTRA VIDEO: Viewer video showing the crash scene

“I saw my niece lying on the floor unconscious, my other niece was in shock and my baby was just laying there, my niece was lifeless,” Jawyna said.

There were three other children in the vehicle. Jawyna told me that her 5-year-old niece, Kiaree, suffered brain damage from a skull fracture. As a result of the accident, his 21-year-old niece De-mari and 23-year-old niece LaCresha both suffered neck and spine injuries.

“LaCresha was released from the hospital. De-mari was moved from the ICU to a new room. And Kiaree, they had to intubate her, took out all her tubes this morning. Hopefully fingers crossed and praying. Jawyna will be able to get out of the ICU today,” he said.

“To say they will be traumatized is an understatement,” 7 News Detroit reporter Faraz Javed asked.

“Yes, now we need to figure out how life will go without him because a drunk driver decided to get behind the wheel,” Jawyna said.

“Life will never be the same for you,” Faraz asked.

“It will never, ever be the same. This is her best friend. She told me yesterday that she wanted a Bible so she could communicate with her cousin,” Jawyna said.

“Does it give you any peace of mind that the driver came back and surrendered?” Faraz asked.

“Actually, no, no! What he did was unforgivable. Tell him he took the life of a 7-year-old boy who had a lot of life to live. He loved to climb trees, he caught a lot of fish. I took everything apart and put it back together. The last time I saw him,” Auntie said, “look what did I? He took a whole range apart and was putting it back together at 7 o’clock,” Jawyna said.

A candlelight vigil is planned for this Saturday at 7 Mile and Mound, where Junior died. The family also set up a GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/f/jerome-coleman-jr

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