Community gathers for candlelight vigil in honor of crash victims

JACKSON, Tenn. — Loved ones gather to celebrate and honor the lives of those lost after a tragic accident that happened over the weekend.

Family members of Aaliyah Ayala and Conner White gathered at Trinity Christian Academy to have a candlelight vigil to honor their loved ones.

Elicia Grubbs, best friend of Aaliyah, shares where this memorial idea came from.

“Me and my mom were talking, and I wanted to do something. To honor Aaliyah and Conner. I know they impacted a lot of lives. So the first thing that came to my mind was a candlelight because they started going to church and they were really getting close to God. And just seeing all the people here is overwhelming. They touched so many people’s lives it’s just so inspiring. I don’t think they even realize how big of an impact they even left,” Grubbs said.

Families and friends of Aaliyah and Conner showed their respects by telling stories of the two.

“That man, a lot of people loved him, and that woman had a lot of friends. These people were very loved,” Grubbs said.

When Grubbs was planning for this service, she didn’t know that this many candles would be handed out.

“We ordered 600 candles but I was like ‘it might not be that many people’ but this is–I’m just feeling so much joy because I’m glad that this many people got to feel their love and their friendship,” Grubbs said.

Friend of White, Zahaer Hussein, shares how seeing the community’s incredible support is also bittersweet.

“That was my little and big brother. So, I’m happy this many people over here but they should be–everybody should be here for his wedding not his funeral. It should be for their wedding, it should’ve been for a whole different reason,” Hussein said.

He also shares that the intersection where the accident took place should receive more attention moving forward.

“We need to make it as safe as we can. As many speed bumps as we can, if a light was put up there that would be better,” Hussein said.

Family members continued to tell stories about their loved ones after lighting candles.

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