My step-daughter Ta'Shadow B. Gray was killed on Tuesday night, September 15, 2015 by a woman who admitted to drinking and driving three years ago. The offender T'Naia Burnette made a deal in court and her blood alcohol level was reduced from .269 to .149. Because of this deal the offender avoided penalty. The night of the deadly crash officers believed she was drinking prior to the wreck and no arrest were made.

The legal system is slow to react to already evident situations. Vehicular homicide is a crime that, in general, involves the death of an individual other than the driver as a result of either criminally negligent or murderous operation of a vehicle. This is a serious crime that a lot of offenders get away with due to striking deals in court or pending investigations.

The judicial system and law enforcement can work together to stop offenders like Burnette from repeating offenses such as this. If someone murders with a weapon they are not struck a deal to avoid jail time or punishment under the law. Too many people are being killed due to negligence on the highway. We as a community together need to come together for the victims and families of drunk drivers and negligent drivers.

Ta'Shadow was 19 years old with a bright future ahead of her. All the plans and sacrifices she made to become the woman she was, were taken with the blink of an eye. We as her family is hurting, a part of us is gone. We seek help, justice and a peace of mind.

Justice for Shadow.