Three young lives lost in Florida crash involving alleged drunk driver – victims identified
Kaayla Lambert, Jean Denton, and Aobakwe Banda were killed when a speeding BMW collided with their e-hailing vehicle. Their families are heartbroken.
Tragedy struck in the early hours of July 10 when an alleged drunk driver caused a devastating crash that claimed the lives of three young people and left an e-hailing driver critically injured.
The collision occurred shortly after 01:00 at the corner of 9th Avenue and Goldman Street in Florida.
Kaayla Lambert (21), her boyfriend of more than five years, Jean Denton (23), and best friend Aobakwe Banda (23) were on their way to drop Banda off when their e-hailing vehicle was struck by a white BMW.
• Read the initial article here: Three youngsters killed in suspected red light horror crash in Florida
As their car turned onto Goldman Street, the BMW – reportedly speeding towards Maraisburg – slammed into them with such force that Kaayla and Jean were flung from the vehicle.
“We are broken,” said Kaayla’s mother, Candice Lambert. “She didn’t deserve this.”
Kaayla Lambert remembered
Kaayla’s sister, Rubeina Allow, received an emergency alert from Kaayla’s phone indicating it had detected a crash and had automatically contacted emergency services.
“I woke my parents, and we immediately got in the car to search for her,” she said.
“When we arrived at the scene on 9th Avenue and Goldman, we didn’t think it was her, as we didn’t recognise any of the vehicles involved. Only after speaking with security personnel did our father realise it was Kaayla. Her body was lying in the intersection.”
Kaayla, who lived in Fleurhof with her grandparents, worked remotely as a secure chat agent for a bank and was studying towards a career in social work.
“She loved children,” said her father, Jama Allow. “She had such a bright future.”
“She was so organised,” added Rubeina. “I always teased her about being OCD. That afternoon, she, Jean, and Aobakwe took our little brothers to the driving range. I still can’t believe she’s gone.”
The heartbreak of Jean Denton’s family
Jean’s sister, Carlize Denton, said they heard about the crash from Rubeina.
“We went to the accident scene but didn’t suspect Jean was involved. We were about to drive to his flat to inform him when someone found a body nearly 50 metres from the crash site, partially hidden behind a mini-substation.
“Upon closer inspection, my mother recognised him by his tattoo. She was inconsolable.”
Jean’s mother was too heartbroken to speak.
His brother, Abdulbaqur Collins, added: “We lost our father last year. Jean’s death is overwhelming for her.”
Jean, a former Allen Glen High School learner, was studying for his LLB and had recently started his legal articles at a local law firm.
“He was loved by everyone,” said Carlize. “He was bright, caring, responsible – and so full of joy.”
Aobakwe Banda’s vibrant legacy
Aobakwe’s father, Alexander Banda, described his son as a vibrant, jolly young man who was always the life of the party.
He attended Constantia Kloof Primary School and matriculated at Redford College. After initially pursuing studies in Artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity, he decided to follow his passion for culinary arts.
“Bakwe was a loving, passionate young man who was close to his family and adored his three siblings,” said Alexander.
“He was an adventurer who loved travelling across South Africa and Malawi, and he dreamt of one day running his own chain of specialised cuisine outlets.
“He will remain impressed in our hearts forever – remembered as a God-fearing young man of substance.”
On the tragic morning, Alexander said he was informed of the accident by Jean’s mother.
“We rushed to the scene, where we had to witness the lifeless body of our son still in the front passenger seat, held in place by the seatbelt.
“My wife, Kgomotso, was overcome with grief and asked to be taken home. I returned to the scene later and could not believe my eyes as I watched the police and emergency personnel at work.
“My heart was broken. I wept bitterly but realised I had to be strong and assist. These were some of the hardest moments of my life.”
Court appearance of the alleged drunk driver
The driver of the BMW was arrested and appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on July 11. He has since been released on bail, pending further investigation.
