HENRY COUNTY, Ga. — A metro Atlanta family is mourning the heartwrenching loss of their young daughter after she was struck by a car attempting to pass a stopped bus Thursday morning.
On Monday, 25-year-old Kaylee Andre will be in court to face first-degree vehicular homicide charges.
She's accused of hitting and killing 8-year-old Adalynn Pierce when she was walking across a two-lane street to get on the bus in Henry County. Troopers said the bus was stopped with red flashing lights, and its stop sign was activated at the front and rear.
11Alive's Kaitlyn Ross talked to Adalynn's mom, Ashley, who has a surprising message for Andre in court: She forgives the woman who hit her 8-year-old daughter.
Ashley Pierce was there when it happened. She saw her daughter getting on the bus before she was struck by the car.
But she said what happened was a mistake, and Adalynn herself would have given the woman who hit her grace.
She is extending forgiveness to the woman accused of hitting Adalynn as she got on the school bus.
"When the accident happened, she stayed by my side the whole time. She's the one who called 911 for me, and she just kept screaming how sorry she was and how sorry she was," Ashley said. "Law enforcement has said she has been nothing but cooperative the whole time. It was a mistake. Anyone could have made the same mistake."
For Ashley, it's her daughter's bright spirit and love for her life and the lives of others at such a young age that she will remember and miss the most.
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The food gets cold at Adalynn's home when it's her turn to pray before dinner.
Her mom, Ashley, said she keeps praying until everyone is covered.
"That was her character in general," Ashley said. "Her heart feels for the whole world. If she knows that there is a need out there, it makes her soul so happy to pray for them."
She said her daughter always had a heart for others.
Adalynn once crafted a donation box to help kids with cancer.
"She would be like, oh my gosh, we got 10 dollars, Mom! She likes to make a difference," Ashley said.
Ashley knew Adalynn would want to keep making a difference.
"Her last act on earth is giving hope and restoring faith in a family that's been struggling because they have been waiting for a miracle," she said crying -- remembering the enduring impact her little girl will have.
Ashley is with her daughter now at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta while they wait to donate her organs.
The doctors told her Adalynn's rare blood type will help save kids who have been waiting for a miracle for years.
"Every life she saves, this is a legacy that will live on for generations," she said. "And it's a way that we are keeping part of Adalynn alive."
She wants to keep her daughter alive in her own actions as well.
Forgiving the driver is helping Ashley live her life the way Adalynn lived hers.
"She is a hero. She is a hero and not just a victim, and she is an angel," she said. "And we are moving forward in a way that honors Adalynn."
Ashley said her daughter's hero walk, where she will donate her organs, will happen on Monday.
Doctors said more than 70 children will benefit from her gift.
The Henry County-based nonprofit Caring for a Cause is raising money for Adalynn's funeral. Caring for a Cause will be raising funds to assist them in this journey through uncharted territory.
"With the family’s blessing, we are taking donations on their behalf," a spokesperson for the nonprofit said. "This will cover Adalynn’s service, and any additional funds will be given to Ashley."
Here are the different ways you can donate:
Venmo: @caringforacause
CashApp: $Caringforacause2010
PayPal: paypal.me/caringforacause
Credit Card / Apple Pay: www.caringforacause.love/donate