Marietta crash claims man, unborn child

MARIETTA, Ga. — A Marietta man was killed in a weekend crash, and four others, including a pregnant woman were injured.

Cobb County police identified the man who died as 21-year-old Jordan Irby.

"His mom didn't deserve losing him," said Irby's friend, Adrian Mann, as he choked back tears.

Mourners honored Irby at a Sunday night gathering. Police said he died at the crash scene after his car drifted into oncoming traffic on Powder Springs Road in Marietta.

Relatives said Irby was a student at St. Leo University, and an expectant father who worked two jobs to prepare for his daughter's arrival.

But family members told Channel 2's Carl Willis that Irby's girlfriend, 19-year-old Kandice Grace, was critically injured and lost her baby as a result of the accident.

"He was a father-to-be. I'm a father," said Mann. "He was having a little girl. I have a little girl, so it hurts."

Cobb County police said Irby was driving a black Honda Accord when his car entered the southbound lanes and collided with a BMW SUV just before 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

"This is a tragic loss," said Irby's cousin Qaaree Rashad. "My aunt, this is the second child that she lost, and I'm just trying to keep it together."

A third person in Irby's car, identified as 20-year-old Justin Grace, was injured. So was the SUV driver, 41-year-old Jesus Hernandez, who had a child in the passenger seat. Investigators said they all received minor injuries.

"My prayers go out to every last one of them," said Rashad. "I hope they're all right."

"I know everything happens for a reason," said Irby's friend Dexter Mann. "Can't really put my finger on this one, but we're going to get through it."

On Sunday night, Grace remained in critical condition at Kennestone Hospital.

WSBTV