A heartbreaking tragedy in Athens has deepened after police announced that a 25-year-old woman and her unborn child have died following a violent crash on the Athens Perimeter. Athens-Clarke County police said Sara Alexis Waldroup and her baby passed away early Wednesday, days after suffering critical injuries in the wreck that had already claimed the life of her husband.
Waldroup and her unborn child had been hospitalized in critical condition since early Sunday morning. The crash also killed her husband, 25-year-old Soonhoon Choi, leaving loved ones clinging to hope as doctors fought to save Sara and her baby. Despite extensive medical efforts, both died at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center.
Police said the crash happened when a Kia Seltos was traveling the wrong way at a high rate of speed on the Athens Perimeter near the Oglethorpe Avenue intersection. The Kia struck multiple vehicles, setting off a devastating chain of events that forever changed several families’ lives.
The driver of the Kia, identified as Desiree Jaclyn Browning, 26, of Lawrenceville, was killed at the scene. Her passenger, Katilyn Mills, 24, of Athens, was ejected from the vehicle and transported to the hospital in serious condition. Authorities said the Kia also hit two other vehicles, though four people inside those vehicles escaped without serious injuries.
In an emotional statement released on Christmas Eve, Waldroup’s family shared their grief and reflected on her final fight for life. They said Sara, known lovingly as Lexi, was placed in a medically induced coma as doctors worked to save both her and her unborn child. “She fought with everything she had — with courage, strength, and love,” the family said, adding that their hope and prayers ultimately turned into “unimaginable heartbreak.”
The family said they are now working to arrange funeral services and hope to lay Sara to rest beside her husband so they can “be together forever.” A GoFundMe account originally set up to help cover her medical care will now go toward medical expenses and burial costs. The family also expressed deep gratitude to the community, saying the overwhelming support, prayers, and donations carried them through their darkest moments and will never be forgotten.
