On May 19, 2017, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Duffy was involved in a catastrophic car accident. Kaitlyn was driving back with a friend from an early afternoon visit to the beach with her new puppy when a delivery truck, driven by Jerode Johnson, crossed the road’s center lines and struck Kaitlyn’s vehicle head-on. Kaitlyn, who was about to graduate from high school, died on the scene. Her passenger suffered severe injuries to her brain and arm, leaving her with cognitive deficits and other problems. Kaitlyn’s puppy also died in the crash.
Jerode was found to have significant alcohol, marijuana, valium, and cocaine in his system, and was driving with a suspended license.
