Family of couple, newborn killed in Houston County crash asks for prayers

​

 

 

HOUSTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) – A father is asking for prayers from the community after his 19-year-old daughter, her husband, and her newborn baby were killed in a head-on collision in Houston County.

 

​

Kassidy Leonard and 20-year-old William Griggs were on their way to visit his grandfather with their 11-day-old daughter Kimberlynn when investigators say another driver crossed the double yellow lines and hit their car head-on.

 

All three were killed in the crash.

​

The other driver, identified as Benjamin Franklin, was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in unknown condition.

​

“We want the community to continue praying for the families of the three victims and the other driver,” said Kassie’s father, Joey Leonard.

​

The Houston County Sheriff told News 2 charges are pending against Franklin, who has a history with law enforcement. Click here for Benjamin Franklin’s arrest history.

 

Authorities told News 2 the investigation into the crash could take months.

​

A manager of the McDonald’s in Waverly, Tennessee, told News 2 Leonard was a longtime worker at the restaurant.

​

Griggs had just been hired, and the couple spent much of Monday there just before the terrible accident.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

                                                                                                         (Courtesy: The Leonard Family)

​

“She just came to visit and show us the baby yesterday, and the boyfriend had an interview yesterday and it was like she just left us,” said Dana Boggs, the general

manager.                                                                                           

​

“She was one of our best workers. I think she would have become a manager,” Boggs added. “I think everyone here enjoyed working with Kassidy; no one said anything negative about her.”

​

Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis was friends with the victim, and told News 2 that’s what unique about the crash—it was in Houston County, but “all the occupants are from Humphreys County.”

​

The accident turned personal for the sheriff when he told the Leonard family of their loss.

​

“It’s a very difficult thing when you have to deliver a notice of this kind, but when you have to do it for someone you love and care about and sit in church with, it hits home a little bit more,” Davis added.

​

News 2 is told the family will have a memorial fund set up at Region’s Bank by Wednesday at 10 a.m.

​

A celebration of life will be held for all three victims Saturday at Friendship World Outreach in Waverly at 2 p.m.