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Prince William County (web|news) authorities say a woman lost her 8-year-old son in a car crash on Mother's Day.
Police spokeswoman Erika Hernandez says the woman and the boy were in a van when it was rear-ended by a pickup truck at a stoplight on Lee Highway and Somerset Crossing Drive in Gainesville on Sunday.
Eight-year-old Joshua Adams was born two and one-half weeks early and his mother said he spent everyday running a little ahead. "He started every morning with a pow out of bed. You'd hear those big feet hit the floor running," said his mom Darlene.
He was an honor student, an athlete, a kid who played the piano at retirement homes and a little brother who got up early Sunday to hear one of his big brothers sing at church.
Joshua had been laying in a rear seat without a seat belt and was thrown forward into the center console. Darlene and Joshua were flown to an area hospital, where he later died from his injuries."It came up out of nowhere and he had to have used our van for a brake and he had to have been at a super speed. The first thing I thought was where's Joshua? There was no sound ever from Joshua."
His dad said, "He doesn't know this, but Saturday I bought him a fishing pole." Darlene said, "He had planned for Mother's Day on Saturday. My gifts, I haven't even opened, they're in the china closet."
Hernandez says the woman's 20-year-old son was driving the van and was treated at the scene for his injuries.
She says the driver of the pickup truck, 22-year-old Rodney Aaron Martin, was charged with involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence for a second time.
"It wasn't until last night that I became so angry about the driver and I'm not happy with him," said Darlene.
She says Martin should never have been allowed to drive again so he never would have been on the same road as her child who was simply going to church. "He had no right to destroy the life of my child."
Hernandez says Martin is being held without bond at the Manassas Adult Detention Center and is scheduled to appear in court on June 13th.
Police says they are continuing their investigation.
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