A careless driver who was allegedly reading a text message at the time of the crash killed two young people and also their grandmother.
What should have been a day of fun turned tragic for the Newville family?
In 2017, Linda Irie (50) went with her three grandchildren – five-year-old Jace Newville, nine-year-old Brooklynn Newville, and their cousin Isabella Anthony (6) to pick lambs for an Easter photo shoot.
Unfortunately, a 17-year-old male rear-ended her car while she was traveling on the Turner Turnpike near Wellston, Oklahoma, forcing her car to crash into two other cars.
Trie, Jace, and Brooklynn were pronounced dead at the scene. Only one survived, Isabella.
The parents of the slain children, Brian and Shane Newville, were devastated.
After their world shattered into a million pieces, not even seven years after the terrible disaster, there was never any way to move on.
“We’ve had to move a few times, we can’t really go into the house anymore, see where the kids used to be,” Brian said.
After Shaneé split from Brian, he wrote an emotional statement on Facebook saying: “Being alive is hard.” I cry when I get up, I cry when I shower, I cry when I put my make-up on.” Shaneé, who also lost her mum in the incident, continued: “The people who loved me the most are gone. Looks like Mima and God took them on vacation. But that’s not true—he’ll never come back.”
After Jace and Brooklynn died, it took their parents months of sorting through their belongings to find Brooklynn’s bucket list, which included a long list of things she always wanted to see and experience.
Many experiences were recorded, including viewing the Golden Gate Bridge, scuba diving, moose watching, purchasing a drone, and visiting an ice bar in Alaska.
“She always wanted to go hunting with me,” remarked Brian unable to stop the tears streaming down his cheeks. “I never had the chance.
At this point, the parents vowed to do whatever it took to fulfill Brookie’s desires for a daughter.
Noah DeDear of Durango, Colorado has been charged with three counts of murder a year after the tragic accident. Allegedly, DeDear caused the accident that claimed the lives of Iria and her two grandchildren.
DeDear, who is being tried as an adult, was days away from turning 18 when he caused the tragedy.
He admitted texting his fiancee and grandmother just moments before the event but denied reading texts on his phone at the time.
In 2019, Brian became angry at the continued delays in the trial, telling News 4, “It doesn’t make sense.” Why can a man take the lives of three innocent people – a grandmother, two children, and himself – and yet be spared punishment while the family waits for answers and suffers in agony?
The family eventually announced jury selection in 2021.
They launched a campaign called “Put it Down” to encourage drivers to never use their phones while driving in the hope that no one will ever know the pain of losing a child.
“We’re releasing our Put It Down campaign so people put their phones down,” Brian said. “Everything in the car when you’re driving counts, whether it’s your phone or food: put it away
We are deeply saddened by the loss of these two beautiful beings as well as their grandmother.
I hope they are at peace.
The tragic incident of Linda Irie and her three grandchildren, Jace, Brooklynn, and Isabella, remains a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating consequences of distracted driving. In 2017, their lives were cut short when 17-year-old driver Noah DeDear allegedly caused a head-on collision on the Turner Turnpike in Oklahoma. Linda, Jace, and Brooklynn lose their lives in an accident, leaving behind a devastated family and community.
For Brian and Shane Newville, the loss of their children was unimaginable. The pain of losing Jace and Brooklynn, both so young and full of promise, continues to weigh heavily on their hearts. Memories of their children intertwine with sadness as they navigate life without them, haunted by the void in their homes and hearts.
Noah DeDear faced a charge of involuntary manslaughter, though the legal process brought further torment for the Newville family with delays and uncertainties. Despite their grief, Brian and Shaneé channeled their grief into advocacy through their “Put it Down” campaign, urging drivers to refrain from using their phones while driving. Their hope is to prevent other families from experiencing the profound loss they endure daily.
As the Newville family strives to honor Jace and Brooklynn’s memory by granting their wishes and spreading awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, their story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of safe driving. Through their advocacy and perseverance, they strive to ensure that the memory of Linda, Jace, and Brooklynn lives on not only in their hearts, but also in the collective consciousness of communities striving for safer roads.
In memory of those lost, may their legacy inspire change and prevent future tragedies caused by distracted driving.