Family members of victims hurt in a crash tied to drag racing in New Orleans East spoke with WDSU’s Shay O’Connor about the ordeal.
Two people, Summer Gaudet and Jeffrey Watts, were immediately ejected from the motorcycles they were on. They died almost instantly.
Two others the couple was with, Kelly Strange and Mario Varnado, are said to be fighting to stay alive after a drunk driver crashed into them Sunday morning.
Witnesses said two couples were having a good time watching drag racing when police said Joshua Stevens plowed into them.
Family members of one of the victims had a message for the alleged drunk driver, who has since bonded out of jail.
Penny Strange, the mother of Kelly Strange, said, “You really devastated a lot of lives by doing this. I can only pray that God has mercy on you for what you did to my daughter and these other families.”
22-year-old Joshua Stevens was charged with two counts of vehicular negligent injury and two counts of vehicular homicide for the deaths of 30-year-old Summer Gaudet and 39-year-old Jeffrey Watts, both were said to have been Houma residents.
Mario Varnado is said to have lost a limb.
“He lost his leg. But he seems to be doing okay,” said Strange.
Her daughter Kelly is said to be still unconscious after her face was shattered in the impact.
Strange said, “She’s fighting. She’s fighting for her life. It’s hard, but she’s fighting.”
We’re told it was the couple’s first time watching drag racing together after traveling from Terrebonne Parish.
“They were parked and were deciding if they were going home or to the French Quarters. They decided to go home. He came from out of nowhere.”
Now Strange is warning about the dangers of drag racing.
“People have gotten killed before. I don’t understand why the state has not shut it down.”
She is also asking why Stevens has already bonded out of jail.
“I would like to know why they set his bond so low. Why they did not set his bond higher, knowing he took two people’s lives and two more are fighting for theirs,” said Strange.
Councilman Oliver Thomas said it appears drag racing has ramped up after a period when it was not happening in the area. WDSU has reached out to the district attorney’s office about the bond set for Stevens. Stevens’ next court date is set for August.
Family and friends have been rallying together to raise money for Kelly Strange and her boyfriend, Mario Varnado.
A benefit dinner for Kelly will be held June 20 from noon to 6 p.m. They are asking participants to call 504-570-4545.
Kelly’s mom is also accepting donations at $pennystrange69 on Cashapp.
READ MORE:Family of victim speaks after alleged drunk driver causes two deaths amid drag racing in NOLA East
