A Holiday Drive That Ended in Disaster
What should have been a peaceful ride home after Thanksgiving ended in a tragedy no family could imagine.
Just hours after sharing dinner and laughter, 19-year-old Jaylah Donald and her unborn baby boy lost their lives in a violent collision in Covington, Georgia. Jaylah’s mother, Takila Donald, survived but remains in critical condition. Investigators are now examining the actions of both drivers involved.
Deadly Collision After Midnight
Shortly after midnight on November 28, 2025, Jaylah sat in the passenger seat as her mother backed out of a neighbor’s driveway.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, Takila reversed “improperly” and failed to yield while re-entering Fairview Road near Crestfield Circle. A westbound BMW slammed into the passenger side just after 12:34 a.m.
The impact killed Jaylah and her unborn son instantly. Takila was flown to Grady Memorial Hospital, where doctors continue to fight for her life.
The BMW’s driver, Brandon Robinson, suffered minor injuries. However, authorities later revealed that Robinson was allegedly driving under the influence. Both he and Takila may face charges once the Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team completes its investigation.
This tragedy reflects a broader pattern. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics show that one-third of Thanksgiving crash deaths between 2019 and 2023 involved drunk drivers.
A Family Shattered
For Jaylah’s family, the night unfolded like a nightmare. Her grandmother, Genette Anderson, said the evening had been joyful and ordinary. Jaylah and her mother simply stepped out to give a neighbor a ride—a small favor that turned deadly.
The neighbor didn’t realize anything was wrong until ambulances filled the street. That’s when they called Genette.
“When I first got up there, I couldn’t breathe,” Genette recalled. Still, she pushed herself to stay strong. “I can’t question God. At the end of the day, we all have our number.”
A Young Mother With a Bright Future
Jaylah had just graduated from Maynard Jackson High School and planned to start college after her son’s birth. She had told her father, Jonathan Ponds, about the pregnancy only hours before the crash.
“It was crazy to find out I was going to be a grandfather,” he said. “A couple of hours later, I lose my daughter and my grandson.”
On November 30, more than 50 friends and relatives gathered to release balloons into the sky in Jaylah’s memory.
Community Support Through GoFundMe
To help the grieving family, Arlena Hill launched a GoFundMe campaign on Genette’s behalf.
The fundraiser honors Jaylah’s warm spirit and her excitement about becoming a mother. Although young, she embraced the pregnancy and constantly shared love and affection with those around her.
“To lose them both so suddenly is a heartbreak no family should endure,” the page reads.
Funds will support funeral and burial costs, a memorial for Jaylah and her baby, and financial assistance for the family. The campaign has raised more than $7,000 of its $9,000 goal.
