Family and friends came together in Lithonia on Wednesday to remember a family killed in a car accident. An 18-year-old woman who lost her brother and parents in the accident joined mourners in remembering the Mallets.
Ainsworth and Jaqueline Mallett, their 12-year-old son Drew died in a crash on the New Jersey Turnpike on Dec. 27. Nikki Mallett, 18, survived the crash. The family was on their way back from a holiday visit.
A candlelight vigil was held on Wednesday at the Golden Krust restaurant in Lithonia, which the Mallets had opened about seven years ago.
Nikki Mallett returned to Georgia after being treated and released from a New Jersey hospital. She made an appearance with her aunt at the vigil but did not speak publicly.
Friends say the family was an important part of metro Atlanta's Jamaican community.
"Jovial folks. Friendly. Easy to get along with. Helped the community in whatever way they can, and they're going to be sadly missed," said Errol Ritchie of the Atlanta Jamaican Association.
Jacqueline Mallett, 49, was an administrative assistant at nearby Stephenson Middle School. Ainsworth Mallett, 51, was well-known in the restaurant business.
The family-owned restaurant re-opened without his leadership and there is a move to keep it going.
"I'm thinking if we were to close down, we practically would be getting rid of Mallett, so keeping it alive is definitely appropriate," said Jacqueline Hawthorne Robinson.
With the funeral for Ainsworth, Jacqueline and Drew Mallett approaching, the attention has turned to helping Nikki Mallett, her aunt and other members with community support and lots of prayer.
The funeral for the Malletts is scheduled for Saturday.
A memorial fund has been established for them at PNC Bank.
Friday, May 24 2013 12:10 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:10:59 GMT
More than a dozen people were hurt Friday morning when an Atlanta airport hotel shuttle bus crashed into a tractor-trailer not far from the airport.
More than a dozen people were hurt Friday morning when an Atlanta airport hotel shuttle bus crashed into a tractor-trailer not far from the airport. FOX 5's Chris Shaw captured cell phone video inside the smashed bus at the scene of the crash.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:14 AM EDT2013-05-24 14:14:44 GMT
A judge has sentenced Michael Parson to the maximum of 35 years in jail for the attempted murder of his wife. On Thursday, Parson was convicted of shooting his wife, Adina, eight times in 2012.
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Friday, May 24 2013 9:52 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:52:10 GMT
The jury has found Michael Parson guilty on all eight counts in the shooting of his wife outside their Sandy Springs apartment.The woman, Adina Parson, survived after being shot eight times.
The jury has found Michael Parson guilty on all eight counts in the shooting of his wife outside their Sandy Springs apartment.The woman, Adina Parson, survived after being shot eight times.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:40 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:40:32 GMT
Families of city workers are back at Atlanta City Hall this morning for a second day of protests. They're demanding bigger pay raises for police, firefighters and other first responders.
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Friday, May 24 2013 9:23 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:23:38 GMT
A Newton County teenager and his mom received the gift of mobility on Thursday, thanks to some Good Samaritans.
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