Life can change in an instant. For the Newville family, what was supposed to be a joyful day of Easter preparations in 2017 turned into a nightmare they’ll never forget.
Linda Irie, a 50-year-old grandmother, was driving her three grandchildren—five-year-old Jace, nine-year-old Brooklynn, and their cousin Isabella, 6—down the Turner Turnpike in Wellston, Oklahoma. The car was filled with chatter and excitement as they planned a special Easter photoshoot. But their happiness was shattered in a single moment.
Credit: Shaneé Estelle
A 17-year-old driver, distracted by text messages, rear-ended their car at high speed. The crash forced Linda’s vehicle into two other cars, leaving Linda, Jace, and Brooklynn dead. Isabella survived but was forever marked by the tragedy.
For Brian and Shaneé Newville, the parents of Jace and Brooklynn, life hasn’t been the same. The pain of losing their children—and Shaneé’s mother—has haunted them every day since. In an emotional Facebook post, Shaneé shared how their absence has left an unimaginable void in their lives. They’ve moved houses multiple times, trying to escape the memories, but the grief follows them everywhere.
Credit: Shaneé Estelle
Months after the accident, while sorting through their children’s belongings, the Newvilles found something that broke their hearts all over again: Brooklynn’s bucket list. It was filled with dreams she never had the chance to pursue—like hunting with her dad and visiting famous landmarks. Determined to honor her memory, Brian and Shaneé vowed to fulfill her wishes one by one.
Their grief was made worse by a drawn-out legal battle. The teenage driver, Noah DeDear, faced manslaughter charges but denied texting during the crash, despite admitting to messaging his girlfriend and grandmother shortly before. Delays in the trial added to the family’s anguish, making closure seem impossible.
Credit: Shaneé Estelle
Finally, in 2021, a jury was selected, giving the Newvilles a sliver of hope for justice. But they didn’t stop there. They turned their pain into purpose, launching the “Put It Down” campaign, a heartfelt effort to prevent distracted driving. Their message is simple but powerful: no text is worth a life.
Credit: PUT IT DOWN
The loss of Jace, Brooklynn, and their grandmother is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers of distracted driving. Their story calls on all of us to be more mindful behind the wheel.
Let’s honor their memory by spreading this message. Share their story. Save a life. And remember: Put it down.
#PutItDown #EndDistractedDriving
