Eight months after fatal crashThe family of a Morehead City woman killed in a crash shared their story Wednesday as charges were filed against the driver. Tuesday.

In an interview at his church, First Baptist of Morehead City, Pastor Leonard described the night in March when the crash occurred. “As a pastor, you are the caregiver and I am the recipient,” he said. “This situation has been reversed.”

The crash on March 3, 2024, occurred after a family dinner at Olive Garden. Pastor Leonard, Suellen and their two children (Creed and Selwyn) planned to leave Crystal Coast Plaza and head to Highway 70 after dinner. Their oldest son, Pierce, was driving separately.

That evening, Cody Schulz, 32, of Goldsboro ran a red light in his 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee and collided with the Leonards’ Toyota Tacoma. The impact left one of his children seriously injured and Father Leonard’s bones broken. Suellen Leonard did not survive. The driver now faces second-degree murder charges.

Father Leonard, who lost consciousness during the accident, recalled waking up in the hospital five days later and learning his wife’s fate. “There really are no words to express losing your wife, your best friend, and the mother of your children,” he said.

His 13-year-old son Creed remembers the crash. “I’m so proud of him because he suffered the most trauma out of all of us in the wreckage. I was told he went out the window and called for help,” Pastor Leonard shared.

Leonard found strength through his family, their community, and their faith. “Any of us could list 100 things God may or may not have done,” said Pastor Leonard, “but I go back to what God did for Suellen to move from death to eternal life.”

Pastor Leonard founded a school in honor of Suellen, who taught science and calligraphy at Carteret County Community College. scholarship in his name. An event titled ‘Surviving the Holidays‘ It will be on November 16 at 18:00 at the First Baptist Church at 810 Bridges Street. to provide solace to others who have lost loved ones.