Teens' Deaths Heartbreaking

 

February 4, 2021

Shedricka Hollins

Hearts are saddened by the death of two teenage girls whose lives tragically ended last Friday January 29, 2021 after never making it back home from their trip to a nearby store. Shedricka Hollins, 18, and Brianna Neal, 17, were walking back home from a store they frequented as they tried to cross an intersection on HWY 165 S. in Richwood LA. Witnesses who found their bodies said it appeared as if they had been a part of a horror movie scene, with their bodies sawed in two. This is undoubtedly no image anyone would ever want to see of their beloved family.

Suspect Corey Buie has been identified and was arrested for the death of the two teens. It is alleged that the driver who struck the two girls had been driving at over 100 mph. The highway's speed limit is between 50 mph. The suspect is currently out on an alleged $500 bail. All parties are awaiting reports from law enforcement regarding official charges.

The south Monroe and Richwood communities have complained about unsafe conditions at their end of town for many years due to extreme darkness in the area. In 2019 the city of Monroe completed a project to provide better lighting for a stretch of the busy highway, but it appears to have only covered the highway area that is in the city's jurisdiction. There is a distinct division of city and parish property indicated by how the road is lit. This leaves the town of Richwood leadership, parish civic leaders, and state representatives in the hot seat for not working more quickly in helping alleviate the problem in any way they can.

The families are emotional about their loved ones' deaths because they believe both Hollins and Neal could still be here if there were better safety precautions in place. They urge leaders to work harder to implement safety measures so that other families won't feel the same pain they are experiencing. They also offer words of caution to those who cross the dangerous road.

Brianna Neal

"Parents don't let your kids go by themselves, especially at night. Try to only cross by foot during the daytime. It has been too many fatalities for us not to be more cautious." said Mrs. Joycelyn Givens, grandmother to the deceased Brianna Neal.

Certainly, this is another unnecessary sign to officers, lawmakers, and civic leaders that something needs to be done to prevent another fatality from happening on this dreary stretch of Highway 165 South. If not now, then when? there are three sides to every story. This was one side of this story. The Monroe Dispatch welcomes another or the other side of this story. The Monroe Dispatch sends sincere condolences to both the Hollins and Neal families.

Photo victim Shedricka Hollins

Photo Victim Brianna Neal

 

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