Caynen Woodward- Killed by alleged drunk driver
By Josh Mitchell/Informer Publisher
A Marion County Grand Jury has indicted a man for DUI manslaughter for a New Year’s Day crash that killed a baby.
Richard Kennedy of Angie, La. was allegedly intoxicated on alcohol and driving in the wrong direction on U.S. Highway 98 in Foxworth when he crashed head-on into a vehicle driven by Brandon Woodward of Sandy Hook.
Woodward’s 22-month-old boy, Caynen Woodward, passed away at University Medical Center in Jackson the day after the accident. Also in the vehicle was Woodward’s 5-year-old daughter, Hayley, who sustained three cracked vertebrae. Woodward also suffered injuries to his leg and knee.
Woodward was driving to pick up the children’s mother, Carla Harper, at a fireworks stand in Foxworth where she worked when the accident happened. In March, Harper spoke with the Marion County Informer in-depth about the accident. To see that story click this link: http://bit.ly/anNXCd
After the crash, Kennedy was transported to Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg. Kennedy has already bonded out of jail and will have his initial appearance in Marion County Circuit Court on Thursday. Kennedy’s vehicle was also occupied by Vikki L. Vince, 42, of Sandy Hook, who was uninjured in the accident that happened just east of Foxworth at the Pearl River bridge.
People must realize that there are consequences for their actions. If you opt to drink and drive, you are not only taking your own life in your drunken hands, you are taking the lives of innocent bystanders as well. I honestly do not think manslaughter is an adequate punishment. Intentionally drinking alcohol and driving does not fall under my idea of a mitigating circumstance worthy of reducing culpability. In any case, Caynen and his family are in my thoughts. I pray they will find peace.
I absolutely agree with joe oliver…I also believe that ppl should have their kids in car restraints while they’re on the road an not in their LAP!!! Things like this could have been prevented or lessened to injuries….just saying
Manslaughter?? Really? Doesn’t such a reduced charge appear to lessen the little guy’s lost life?
I believe that he should be charged with murder!
Also, I do NOT believe that the father needs to hear coulda, woulda, shoulda from anyone because I am sure he has played that record over and over in his mind! I am sure he will live the rest of his days thinking about how things may have been different if only he coulda, woulda, shoulda…
My prayers go out to this family for their loss. I hope they find peace.
To not amused.. The child was in a carseat he climed out right before the wreck.. Ppl really needs to keep there mouth shut unless they no wat their talkin bout… .. Just sayin..
Thank for you comment”not amused” but I’m not amused by you I am his mother an if you knew what you were talking about you would no the whole dam story about the whole dam situation!! My son was in his booster seat witch was straight behind his dads driver seat an he got out to get his candy “gum” an then that man hit him it wasn’t our fault that b4 brandon could get pulled over to put him back in his seat he had done been hit,So b4 you an so much more go judging an talking find out the truth!!
Also I would like to say “I’m just saying” I also believe in car seats but I also believe that we should have much harsher punishment for ppl who drink an chose to drive!! I mean look @ our jail dockets that’s all you see is dui..ppl beating children or of course drugs..! They should be harder laws an maybe ppl would actually think about there consequences..! I’m just saying!!!
Another thing I think that more ppl would be a little more responsible if they knew what they would face if caught drinking an driving, drugs ,beating kids,all that applies.. We need harsher punishment for ppl who get caught doing any of this not just have a lil slap on the hand or probation!!
Driving a car while under the influence is no different than waving a loaded gun while under the influence and killing someone. If you are drinking and driving a vehicle, you have control of a deadly weapon. Until laws are toughened for this crime, we will continue to see innocent lives lost.
To: my2cents…you are absolutely right…..being a grandmother with four small grandsons…I am sickened over this case. Please ppl…DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE AND PUT ALL OF OUR LIFES IN DANGER….IF YOU WANT TO DIE THEN GO AHEAD AND DO WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO THAT, BUT PLEASE LEAVE THE REST OF US ALONE!!!!!!! It is dangerous enough to be on the roads these days anyway…without an intoxicated person behind the wheel of a moving time bomb!!