North Charlotte Today

Ten years have done little to diminish the memory of a mother who was killed by a drunken driver. Indeed, it has turned the survivors into advocates who urge people not to drink and drive, especially over the New Year’s holiday.

"I’m going to spend the rest of my life missing her,” Aleigha Hunt told WCNC. Her mother Jennifer Hunt and grandmother Marie Crook were killed by a drunken driver in Matthews, at the intersection of Matthews Township Parkway and Independence Boulevard, on Dec. 26, 2012.  

In honor of the 10th anniversary of the accident, family members visited the crash site for the first time and had a candlelight vigil nearby. 

Hunt, now 15, said her family has tried its best to rebuild from the suffering and loss that they experienced. 

Cori Favor, sister and daughter of the victims, said they both loved life. “They loved to sing and just to be happy, and my mom worked here at Lowe's for years,” Favor said.

The survivors said they hope their pain can serve as a reminder of the consequences of drunken driving.

”It is not worth having fun for just a little while and risk-taking someone from this world,” Favor said. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunken driving is more prevalent during the holiday season. National statistics show there were 209 drunken driving deaths between Christmas and New Year’s in 2020 across the country. Mothers Against Drunk Driving says at least 429 people have died in North Carolina in 2022 due to drunken driving. 

"It’s not an accident,” Favor said. “It’s a decision that you make and you're deciding that it's OK if you take someone's life when you get behind the wheel when you’ve been drinking." 

The family said they hope their message will inspire others to find a safe ride home whenever they are intoxicated and ultimately save lives.