These young ladies all had promising futures – but, unfortunately, had one more thing in common:
their lives were stolen abruptly by impaired drivers in Charles County.
Taylor Halbleib
Taylor was a student at the College of Southern Maryland, where she was majoring in Criminal Justice. On December 7, 2017, Taylor left work and was operating a Hyundai Elantra traveling eastbound on Route 6. Her vehicle came to a complete stop at a red light. There was one vehicle, a Honda Odyssey, ahead of her that was at a complete stop at the red light as well. A drunk driver, who was driving a Ford F-150, was also traveling eastbound, but failed to slow down and stop for the red light, slamming into Taylor’s vehicle at almost 70 miles per hour.
The impact of the collision forced Taylor’s vehicle into the Honda Odyssey in front of her. Taylor’s vehicle then began to spin, eventually settling in a north westerly position on the eastbound shoulder. The drunk driver’s vehicle veered off the roadway into the woods. The driver of the Honda Odyssey was uninjured and left the scene of the accident with her vehicle, but later returned. Taylor, however, suffered extensive injuries, including a broken neck, broken back, and crushed organs.
Further investigation revealed that the drunk driver and his passenger had been drinking heavily throughout the night at a bar in La Plata. The two men then purchased and consumed more beer at a bar/liquor store in La Plata where Taylor worked. After closing, the drunk driver and his passenger continued drinking outside of the bar. When Taylor left work for the evening, the drunk driver harassed her before she left in her vehicle. He followed her vehicle until he rammed into the back of it with his Ford F-150. Multiple open cans of beer and liquor were located inside of his vehicle at the scene.
Taylor was pronounced deceased at the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center. Prior to passing, she had hopes of following in her father’s footsteps and being a DC Metropolitan Police Officer. Her goal was to become a K-9 Police Officer. Taylor loved animals, especially her family pets.
Autumn Jenkins
Autumn was a 5-year Charles County volunteer firefighter and medic. On April 28, 2015, Autumn was operating a Kia Soul and traveling southbound on Ironsides Road. A drunk driver, who was operating a Chevrolet Silverado, was simultaneously traveling northbound on the same road. The drunk driver crossed the double yellow center line and struck Autumn head on, causing her vehicle to turn clockwise and travel off the roadway.
Autumn died at the scene. A trooper who responded to the incident could smell an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the breath of the driver of the Chevrolet Silverado.
Before passing, Autumn graduated from Henry Lackey High School Class of 2012 with Presidential Honors. She enjoyed fishing, hunting, spending time with her dog Si and family and friends. She had life guard and firefighting certifications. She participated in the 9/11 Memorial Firefighter Challenge Stair Climb in honor of Firefighter Joseph G. Hunter of Squad 288.
Destanee Lyles
Destanee was a college student enrolled at Virginia State University (VSU). On October 14, 2018, she was leaving a residence in Port Tobacco with two of her friends in order to return to VSU. She was a passenger in a Chevrolet Cruze. The occupants of the Chevrolet Cruze had just left the driveway when a driver under the influence of PCP, operating a Nissan Rogue, collided with the left rear of the Chevrolet Cruze.
The impact caused the Chevrolet Cruze to rotate clockwise and collide with a ditch. As a result, the rear axle became separated from the vehicle. The Chevrolet Cruze came to a final rest in a private driveway. The Nissan Rogue also rotated clockwise but came to a final rest on the roadway. The vehicle caught fire as a result of the collision but was extinguished by a Charles County Sheriff’s Deputy. At the time of impact, the impaired driver was driving 109 miles per hour.
Destanee was pronounced deceased at the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center due to the injuries sustained during the incident.
In a post commemorating her life, her student government organization remembered her as being “beautiful and vibrant.”
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