Father of child killed by suspected DUI driver speaks out

ATLANTA — A family is preparing for a funeral Tuesday for a 9-year-old boy hit by a car.

Investigators say the driver was high on drugs when he crashed into the child and two others in northwest Atlanta.

Now the father of two of the victims is speaking out.

Laotis Smith told Channel 2’s Rikki Klaus that his son Isaiah Ward found out the day of the crash he had earned student of the month honors.

“Your brother didn’t make it, I said, but we’re going to work through this together,” Smith said.

That’s how Smith told his 11-year-old son Roland Ward his little brother was taken off life support.

“It’s never going to be the same without him,” Smith said.

On April 15, Atlanta police say Roland, Isaiah and their 12-year-old friend Timothy Hood were on the sidewalk on Joseph E. Boone Boulevard near Mayson Turner Road in northwest Atlanta.

“It can’t be true. It’s got to be a dream,” Smith said.

Detectives say 28-year-old Ryan Lisabeth was on drugs and driving fast, when he crashed into the kids and two other vehicles.

“It’s tearing me up inside. But I’m just kind of holding my tears in,” Smith said.

Smith said Roland has a cast on his leg and he’s doing OK, but he’s heartbroken like the rest of the family, about Isaiah’s death.

“Still I know he’s in a better place, but he needs to be right here with me,” Smith said.

Monday, Smith viewed Isaiah’s body and told Klaus outside the funeral home he had a personal message for the driver.

“For my son to be laying in a coffin, he deserves the death penalty,” Smith said.

Smith said he cannot forgive Lisabeth, who’s facing several charges, including vehicular homicide.

Smith said Timothy is still in the hospital.

Isaiah’s funeral is Tuesday morning.

Cox Media Group