Latest news with #JaeaChatman
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
Families of teens killed in West Sacramento hit-and-run fill courtroom for suspect's first hearing
The man accused of a deadly hit-and-run that killed two teenagers in West Sacramento made his first court appearance on Wednesday. It was an emotional day as the families of Layla Clemmons and Jaea Chatman, both just 17 years old, came face-to-face with the man accused of killing them. "That was my first daughter, she was 17 years old," said Jerry Chatman, Jaea's father. "She just graduated. She was getting her driver's license. That was my baby." "She was very silly and smart and happy," said Stephanie Vallejos, Layla's grandmother. "She was beautiful and had a genuine heart." David Walker, 71 of Fair Oaks, is now facing multiple felony counts, including murder and hit-and-run. Prosecutors allege he consumed 62 ounces of alcohol and then drove through Fair Oaks into West Sacramento intoxicated. They went on to say that Walker left the scene, but eventually came back, without helping the teens he had hit. The judge ordered Walker held without bail, citing the severity of the case. "I'm very thankful to the judge accepting the request to have no bail," Vallejos said. Inside the court, family members wore pink, a favorite color of one of the girls and promised to keep fighting for justice. "I just wanted him to see me," Jerry said. "And whenever he goes to the cell tonight just to see me and I want to let him know we're going to keep showing up." Both families are also calling upon the city to make improvements to the stretch of Jefferson Boulevard where the two teens were riding on when they were hit and killed Saturday. "Why wouldn't you spring into action right now and widen that highway? Maybe these two children would be alive," said Jerel Todd, Jaea's grandfather. "If anything comes good of this situation, it would be that we'd correct that road," Vallejos said. Walker is due back in court Aug. 20 at 1:30 p.m. Both families said they will be there, pushing for accountability and change.
CBS News
5 days ago
- CBS News
Family, West Sacramento mayor say safety improvements are long overdue after two teens die in hit-and-run
The families of two teenage girls killed in a hit-and-run crash are calling for safety improvements on the road where their lives were tragically taken in West Sacramento on August 2. Layla Clemons and Jaea Chatman, both 17, were riding a bike on Jefferson Boulevard near Bevan Road when police say they were hit by driver David Walker, 71, who fled the scene. He was arrested the following morning. "It was a relief. We will get justice for the girls," Layla's mother, Melissa Vallejos, said of the arrest. She is brokenhearted by the sudden loss of Layla, one of her four children. "We're just taking it minute by minute right now. It's a lot of ups and downs. I want to feel strong for my baby, but I know it's gonna be a roller coaster," said Melissa. The two teens were dating and Layla's family described them as "inseparable." "He hit them. He knew he hit them and he fled. It's despicable," said Stephanie Vallejos, Layla's grandmother. West Sacramento's mayor tells CBS13 that the girls' deaths shine a painful light on longstanding concerns with Jefferson Boulevard. "The roadway was built when West Sacramento was a small rural community and falls short in support of the size and expanse of the city today. Short- and long-term plans have been in place to bring necessary safety upgrades but sadly, progress has not moved fast enough," Guerrero said. The stretch of road, a main thoroughfare through the Southport Community, stretches from a heavily trafficked shopping center down to the homes of thousands of people. Where the two girls were killed, Jefferson Boulevard has no street lights, no shoulder, no bike lane and is just one lane in each direction. Layla's uncle lived close by, and she was familiar with the area. "As Mayor, I am committed to accelerating improvements to Jefferson Boulevard to increase safety for residents who choose to drive, walk, or bike through the corridor to connect to other areas within and outside the city. We will pursue all avenues to expedite these long-overdue improvements," Guerrero said. In a recent traffic study, the city deemed Jefferson Boulevard a high-risk road. As part of the city's Vision Zero plan to cut down on traffic deaths, improvements have been proposed for trouble spots citywide. As part of the pending Yarbrough Project, a proposed 3,000-home development along Jefferson, the developer is required to widen and upgrade the road to accommodate new traffic. But the mayor says, they can no longer wait. "In partnership with the Yarborough Development, which is contributing to the area's future growth, we will work to identify resources to fund these critical infrastructure upgrades. Growth must be accompanied by meaningful investment in public safety," Guerrero said. In the meantime, Layla's family says they are pushing for those changes in her memory. "I would like for something to be done on that street, for people to be seen, pedestrians, sidewalk, something so this won't happen again," Melissa said. They want her to be remembered as a kind soul who wanted to study to become a nurse after she graduated from high school. She was in her senior year. "My grandbaby was a beautiful girl. She was full of life. If you knew her, she had the biggest heart. She loved everybody. She wanted to help everybody," Stephanie said. Walker is facing two counts of murder and two counts of hit-and-run causing injury or death. He will be arraigned on August 6. Layla's family is also in the process of filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
