HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — Days after 35-year-old Latonya Foster was killed by a suspected drunk driver in Hampton, the man who was an ear witness to the crime was emotional as he spoke on behalf of her parents.
“It just doesn’t make any sense; this is not fair,” said Johnathan Lynch. “She was so beautiful; we’re not just talking about the look of her. We’re talking about who she was as a person.”
Three months later, the tears continue to flow.
April Smith said she was Foster’s best friend.
“She was the most selfless person — always there for you, always a phone call away,” Smith said. “She always showed up.”
Foster’s last phone call, a call with Lynch, took place during the early morning hours Feb. 22 as Foster took the Settlers Landing road exit on Interstate 64 East. According to police, Theresa Tann was driving her Ford Explorer up the ramp in the wrong direction.
“I heard a breath, and then I heard people knocking on the window, and I’m calling her name like ‘Tonya, Tonya,” said Lynch in the interview earlier this year.
Her loved ones shared pictures of the remains of Foster’s Nissan after a head-on collision. The suspect was treated for rib injuries and was charged with DUI manslaughter.
With memories of Foster close to their hearts, loved ones and supporters will gather at Buckroe Beach next Saturday for what they call a Sweet Walk.
“For those who don’t have nowhere to turn, for those who need therapy, help, whatever it is that you need, just coming together as a community,” Smith said. “We just invite everybody to come out, take part, whether you knew her personally or simply just believing in a cause, we just hope to reflect on the sweetness you brought to the community, to people’s lives.”
The walk takes place two days before the suspect, Tann, is scheduled to face a judge.
“We need justice and my friend needs justice,” Smith said. “And even her going to jail doesn’t bring my friend back, doesn’t bring the sister back, the aunt back. I feel that the more that we speak out on it, the more awareness that we raise.”