Mother of girl killed in DUI crash speaks out

(WMC-TV) - A four-year-old girl was killed after a crash involving a drunk driver Wednesday night.

The family of Jordan Mathis said they are heartbroken and drained, but are trying to keep their composure for the sake of their 15-month-old son.

"She was so full of life," said her mother, Kaylonie Mathis.  "She was so smart."

Police said Darrian Eldridge caused the crash on I-240 and South Parkway.  Kaylonie Mathis said she wants Eldridge to hear her voice.

"You don't know what pain you've caused my family," she said.  "You have cut a piece of my heart out."

Police said Eldridge was driving drunk and speeding on the interstate when he clipped the Mathis' SUV.  It bounced off a guardrail and rolled over.

Eldridge kept driving on three wheels, carving a rut into the asphalt down South Parkway, onto Woodward Street and into a stranger's driveway.

Woodward Street resident Jonathan Banks said Eldridge was bleeding from the face and talking.

"I ain't never seen him before in my life," said Banks.  "He was constantly saying that somebody had hit his truck.  He seemed like he was very upset that somebody had hit his truck."

Eldridge faces seven charges, including vehicular homicide and DUI.

"I want you locked away forever," Kaylonie Mathis said of Eldridge.  "Every day she'll tell me, 'Momma, I love you so much.'"  She hugged me every day, and you took that away from me."

Eldridge's lengthy arrest record includes drug and driving charges.

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