LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — A Lexington mother is grieving after her two teenage children died in a car crash.
16-year-old Hailey Smith and 19-year-old Andrew Smith were driving to Brandy Workman's house Saturday night to celebrate Andrew's 19th birthday when the crash happened.
"They never came," Workman recalled tearfully. "They never made it."
Hailey and Andrew were heading down Athens Boonesboro Road when Lexington Police say 30-year-old Zachary Smith was driving drunk and hit their car, killing both teens. Police say Zachary crossed over the center line and hit the teens' car head-on.
Since the crash, it has been an agonizing time for Workman and her family. She said she wants her kids to be remembered for the wonderful people they were. Workman said Hailey was an amazing mother to her baby, Zoey, who now must grow up without a mom.
"She had her at 15, and she did amazing," she said. "She never went through any depression. That was her light. Zoey right now knows a whole bunch of words; she even knows sign language. She knows some of her colors. That was my daughter's world."
Workman said Andrew was a great basketball player who could do anything he put his mind to.
"Andrew had a straight head on him," she said. "Andrew always knew what he wanted out of life, and he worked at the Army base at the age of 18. He was very happy. He had a lot to live for."
Now, Workman is seeking justice for both of her children.
She watched Monday afternoon as Zachary Smith was arraigned on an aggravated DUI charge. He has since been charged with two counts of second-degree manslaughter.
According to Smith's arrest citation, he blew a 0.299 on the breathalyzer, which is nearly four times the legal limit.
Bell set the bond at $5,000 and said Smith was due back in court on Jan. 20.
LEX 18 dug through court records and found that Smith was out on bond for another DUI case when this crash happened.
In August 2019, the Mount Vernon Police Department charged Smith with DUI. The arrest citation says a "strong odor of alcholic [sic] beverage" came from Smith's car when police pulled him over after he was seen swerving while driving.
After a series of field sobriety tests, Smith was charged with DUI. He failed to appear in court for the case, which remains open at this time.
A GoFundMe has been set up to pay for funeral expenses. Any extra money will go to pay for Zoey's future.
