Lashunaqua "Cocoa" Cooper, 21, and her three-year-old son Jiquel Copeland died instantly in the impact on South Church Street about a half mile from Cooley Road between Rocky Mount and Sharpsburg around 9:30 p.m. on March 11.
Jaymie Crandall heard the emergency sirens on the day of the crash. She was among those mourning outside the church. She's angry that the man who hit Cooper's car is free on bond while this community is grieving.
"It's devastating and to know that he's out on a $20,000 bond and a family's life has been destroyed. That's not fair," said Crandall.
Investigators said 26-year-old Stacey Deans was driving a pickup truck that crossed the center line and hit Cooper's car head on. Troopers said they suspect he had been drinking.
He's charged with two felony counts of death by motor vehicle. He is free on a $25,000 bond while investigators await toxicology reports to show whether he was drunk.
Deans is in the military and had recently returned from deployment.
Funeral services for Cooper and her son were held at Word Tabernacle Church in Rocky Mount. They were buried together.
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