Family, friends gather to remember mother, child killed in crash by suspected drunken driver

GALVESTON, Texas – Late Friday night, only a few steps away from Ball High School,  several former students came together.

It wasn't for a class reunion, but to remember classmate Shayla Joseph and her 3-month-old baby.

"You know, this is a tragedy for everyone and it really hit close to home," Jessica Broussard, a friend of Shayla, said.

On Feb. 28, investigators said, Shayla and her newborn baby Braylan were rear-ended along the feeder road of I-45 near Webster by a suspected drunken driver.

The mother and baby both died a short time later.

"I was just hoping that it wasn't true and it was, only thing you can think is, and you're not supposed to question God, but all I can say was: Why her?" Lashonda Mays, another friend, said.

"It's just unbelievable that one bad choice can take the lives of so many and affect so many," Erin Spence, another friend, said.

On the day before the funeral for the mother and infant, at the very same school where Shayla shared so many memories with countless friends, her friends showed up to remember her and her baby.

"She always wanted to spread joy and happiness everywhere she went, so she did a great job at that," Bryan Joseph, Shayla's husband, said.

In the incredible loss of such young lives, friends and family are now counting on each other to help get them through such a difficult time and cherishing the special moments like these.

"It couldn't have been better. Everybody had kind words to say and it makes me feel good," Joseph said.

Funeral information can be found here.


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Galveston-born, award-winning journalist, dog owner, foodie & occasional golfer.