PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, Va. — Five years have passed since Dustin Warden was hit and killed while cleaning up a work zone on Interstate 95.
Jaimie Ray received the news on February 3, 2018 that a driver took their eyes off the road in Prince George County and struck her 25-year-old boyfriend and father of their son, Jonah.
Jonah is asking his mother some tough questions now that’s growing up and in first grade.
“He does ask questions. He said, ‘Okay, Mommy. I love my daddy. I miss my daddy. I'm glad he's with Jesus. He's not suffering,’” Ray recalled. “So it breaks my heart.”
Ray is sharing her story and the impact of inattentive driving during National Work Zone Awareness Week.
“Just make sure you move over when you see a construction zone or see these lights on these vehicles, because they do have families,” she noted.
Ray now regularly attends therapy trying to cope with the decision of one driver.
Samantha Hughes of Wilmington, North Carolina was charged with misdemeanor reckless driving.
Online court records showed the charge was dropped or nolle prosequi in general district court.
She was then charged with reckless driving in Prince George County Circuit Court and pled not guilty.
A judge found Hughes guilty and was sentenced to 12 months in jail with 10 months suspended, according to court records.
Hughes was also fined $1,000, required to pay $130 in court costs, and her license was suspended for six months.
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