Doyline Student Killed In Alcohol-Related Wreck
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
An Ark-La-Tex teen is dead after a single-vehicle crash in Webster Parish. It happened Friday night off highway 163, just south of Doyline. Louisiana State Police say alcohol played a role in the crash. The driver, 19-year-old Donald Mann has been charged with DWI and vehicular homicide. But, the charges bring little comfort to students and teachers at Doyline High School, who will never see their classmate again.
"Been so hard on our kids... It really has been."
Math teacher Jackie Hawkins says her class room won`t be the same, since the untimely death of 14-year-old Aleigha Shannon. A student she describes as one of her best and brightest.
"Always got along with other students. always ultra polite to adults. always had a smile on her face... cooperative.. responsible."
Friday night Aleigha was riding in a truck with three other teens when the driver lost control of the vehicle. She died from her injuries. Police found beer cans at the scene. Now school principal Johnny Rowland is trying to stress to his students the consequences of drinking and driving.
"To know that we are not invincible, and how important it is not to consider drinking and driving on a general scale. I`m not saying that`s what happened... I just know its a terrible disastrous tragic event that happened. And I know one of my best and brightest students is not here today because of it," said Rowland.
Some of the students are having a difficult time not only dealing with Aleigha`s death, but the circumstances surrounding it. Monday, counselors were on hand all day helping them cope with the grief.
"Try to get the students not to focus on the wreck itself, but to try to get them to cope and think about the good things about Aleigha... If Aleigha was here today, which she is in spirit... She would not want the students to be sad. She would want them to go on." said School Counselor Carolyn Bryant.
Principal Rowland says school will end at 10 am Tuesday so students can attend Aleigha Shannon`s funeral. Services are scheduled for 11 AM at First Baptist Church in Doyline.
