Family Remembers Victims Of Crash As Deeply Religious, Best Friends
By Tom Mustin
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) - Taden Jones covered his face as he left the Arapahoe County courtroom Monday. The 18-year-old is accused of driving drunk and causing a deadly accident Friday near Colorado Boulevard and Arapahoe Road in Centennial.
Longtime friends Carolyn Burton and Gayle Buckwalter were killed. The women were both widows and Avon salespersons. They had been delivering products when they were killed.
"She loved her kids and grandkids and great-great-grandkids," said Bill Buckwalter, Gayle's son.
Buckwalter says the women were best friends, and deeply religious.
"We were both raised with a lot of compassion in our hearts and a lot of forgiveness, but it's difficult sometimes," he said.
Arapahoe County documents show Jones had been driving with a fake South Carolina license when he tried to pass another vehicle "at a high rate of speed." The women were in another vehicle when his car crashed in to them. They died after being ejected from the car.
The arresting officer saw a message on Jones' cellphone that said, Who do you get your weed from?" Jones then asked the officer if he was getting a ticket and "am I going to be responsible for the two girls?"
Burton's granddaughter, Nikki Hudson, says both families are praying for Jones.
"I know she would be the one to forgive. That's how I'm taking this," Hudson said.
As two grieving families try and move on, Bill Buckwalter has a request for the driver accused of killing his mother.
"I know it's hard to make restitution, but I think if he can become an honorable man, that would be restitution enough," he said.
Jones is out on a $50,000 bond. His next court date is set for Thursday.
Additional Information
The victims' families are asking that instead of flowers donations be made in their honor to the LDS Church Humanitarian Fund.
Tom Mustin is CBS4's Weekend Anchor. He has been with CBS4 since 2002, and is always looking for great story ideas. Connect with Tom on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @TomCBS4.