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Family of sisters killed in Hopewell wreck fuming over reckless driving charge

Posted at 7:26 PM, May 30, 2014
and last updated 2014-05-30 23:43:35-04

PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, Va.  --  The family of two sisters who died in a Hopewell wreck earlier this month say justice has not been served.

This after they discovered William Reese , the driver of the SUV that hit 69-year-old Carol Jones and 71-year-old Shirley Tarvor's car on May 6, was officially charged with misdemeanor reckless driving.

accident

Deadly accident on Oaklawn Boulevard in Hopewell.

The victims' family members, which originally talked to CBS 6 reporter Wayne Covil after the crash, sat around their living room looking at old photographs while coming to grips with the news.

"To lose two at one time, it's rough," said 96-year-old Ellen Jones, the women's mother, as she sorted through pictures. "I tell you it's been rough.  I mean really rough, but with the help of the good Lord, we're holding on."

Sam Dugger, Shirley Tarvor's youngest son, was outraged that Reese received a misdemeanor charge for the loss of two lives.

"That rubbed me the wrong way," Dugger said. "I didn't understand how you're going to run a red light, kill two people and only be charged with reckless driving."

"He took my mommy. He took my Auntie -- my two best friends away from me. So for him to get off like he did, I don't accept that,"  Kimberly Harrigan, Carol Jones' daugher, said.

"He took my mommy. He took my Auntie -- my two best friends away from me. So for him to get off like he did, I don't accept that,"  Kimberly Harrigan, Carol Jones' daugher, said.

However, Hopewell Commonwealth's Attorney Rick Newman said he hopes to have a final accident report from state police early next week.

"I will say honestly at this point  there is no evidence that he was texting or that he was talking on the phone," Newman said. "There's no evidence of alcohol, there's no evidence of excessive speed."

Newman said witnesses reported that Reese ran a red light. However, Reese claimed the light was green.

If convicted, Reese faces up to 12 months in jail and/or a $2500 fine.

However, the family is planning to fight for a stiffer penalty. In fact, they have hired two attorneys and a private investigator to do an independent investigation. The family has also not ruled out a civil lawsuit.

"It's a hard thing for me, but I still will forgive him," Jones said as she looked at photos of her daughters.

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