The daughter of a woman killed in a motorcycle accident last year looked the man responsible in the eye and forgave him as he accepted responsibility by entering a guilty plea in Jones County Superior Court.
Lodohnx Emile Lenhardt, 21, was arrested June 10, 2024, and charged with failure to yield while turning, reckless driving and two counts of serious injury by vehicle.
Lenhardt pleaded guilty March 6 to the charge of homicide by vehicle in the second degree, which is a misdemeanor, and received 12 months on probation.
There were two victims on the motorcycle May 25, 2024, when they were struck by Lenhardt, who was entering a convenience store at the corner of Joycliff Road. He was driving a Toyota Yaris. Both victims were transported to the hospital. The passenger, Judy Massey, 75, succumbed to her injuries June 18, 2024. The daughter spoke during time allowed for a victim’s impact statement. She talked about her mother and what she meant to their family.
“We know it was an accident, and we forgive you. But it changed our family forever. We don’t wish bad things for you; we never did,” the daughter said.
Her one request was that Lenhardt lose his driving privileges for a period of time.
Superior Court Judge Alison Burleson accepted the plea. Part of the sentence was the order for the defendant to attend a defensive driving course, which she noted includes no driving for six months.
“After that, it is up to the Department of Drivers Services,” the judge said.
