The Athens community is mourning the devastating loss of Soonhoon Choi, 25, his wife Sara Alexis “Lexi” Waldroup, and their unborn child following a horrific wrong-way crash just days before Christmas.
Police say the crash happened just after midnight Sunday on the GA 10 Inner Loop, when a Kia Seltos traveling the wrong direction struck multiple vehicles before slamming head-on into the couple’s Toyota Camry near Oglethorpe Avenue.
Soonhoon died at the scene. Lexi was rushed to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center, where she remained in a medically induced coma before succumbing to her injuries. Their unborn baby also did not survive, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
The wrong-way driver, Desiree Jaclyn Browning, 26, died at the scene. Her passenger remains hospitalized in serious condition, while others involved suffered minor injuries.
Lexi was remembered as a loving wife and joyful expectant mother, while Soonhoon was described as devoted, kind, and full of promise. The young couple had been preparing to welcome their first child.
As the investigation continues, the family has been overwhelmed by community support and donations. Loved ones plan to lay Lexi to rest beside her husband, honoring a family taken far too soon.
