DUNDALK, Md. — Friday, family and friends remember a 15-year-old girl who was tragically hit and killed on a sidewalk in Dundalk.
A makeshift memorial continues to grow in the spot where Brooks was struck. Police say Jones jumped the car, hitting and killing the teen, then crashing into a tree.
A candlelight vigil for Trinity Brooks was held at 6 p.m. where it happened, on Delvale Avenue.
"It was beautiful really to see the community, family and friends show their support for my family when we need it most. They show their love for my sister. It's really heartwarming. It helps us a lot more than people think," said Xavior Reinhardt, Trinity's brother.
"That shows me that my granddaughter touched so many hearts she touched so many hearts that all these people came out here for her," said Gennie Scarff, Trinity's grandmother. "I wanna thank everybody who came, everybody who donated, everybody who cried a tear for my granddaughter. And I hope and pray she’s up there and shes saying yes mum mum that’s what you better be doing. She was a very special person. She did not deserve to get killed."
Jennifer Jones, 30, was charged with negligent manslaughter. According to charging documents, police found 94 bottles of liquor and drugs in her car. The document says she admitted to drinking for 7 hours and had her last drink 5 minutes prior to the deadly crash. She told investigators she doesn't even remember the crash.
"She was drinking. She was on drugs. She needs to serve life in prison because she took a very special person away from family," said Scarff. "I hope and pray she stays in jail for the rest of her life and she can’t destroy someone else’s family because this is unfair."
Even though they want justice, Reinhardt said he can't be angry.
"It's hard as her older brother that I will never see my little sister again but I can’t find it in my heart to hate this woman because I know she wouldn’t," he said.
He asked everyone at the vigil to "love each other the way she would have loved you."
One of Trinity's friends wrote a song in her honor. You can listen to it by clicking here.
Trinity's viewing will be on Monday, Dec. 9 from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the Connelly Funeral Home of Dundalk. Family is asking for help with food donations for the night of the viewing. Her funeral service will be on Tuesday at 10 a.m.
If you'd like to help this family with funeral expenses, you can donate to their GoFundMe page.
With this tragedy happening right before Christmas, people in the community are hoping to gather some presents for Trinity's brothers since the parents finances are going to the funeral expenses. The boys are 12 and 13. The boys are sports fans.
Sizes for the boys are 12-14 and 10-12. Jeans/joggers are boys large and medium, shirts are b boys medium and men's small, and shoes are 6-8.
If you get a present to help this family, contact Debbie Locklear at 410-714-2843 or email at deborahlocklear47@gmail.com.
