Akron nurse killed in Kenmore car crash was 'caring,' 'role model,' says family, friend
The family and best friend of an Akron mother killed after dropping off her daughter at preschool Tuesday morning are waiting for charges to be filed against a 35-year-old man suspected of driving under the influence.
They spoke with Beacon Journal partner News 5 Cleveland last week, devastated by the death of 32-year-old TaShanna Junius, a Kent State University graduate who was a nurse and recently became a licensed Realtor.
Tuesday's wreck:Akron woman dies after her car is rear-ended in crash in Kenmore
“My sister was the most caring person,” her brother Marcus Junius told the television station. “She was a person that, she always wanted to help. Anything I needed help with, she would help me out with.”
"She was amazing" said her best friend, Iyisha Brown. “I've never met somebody as perfect as she was on this Earth. She was my role model.”
The family said it had been a normal day for Junius, with her taking her 4-year-old daughter, Melrose, to school.
They said Junius was a nurse, but took time off to get her Realtor's license. They said she was known for her cooking, sense of humor and straightforward nature with people.
"She was a mother first before anything. She did everything for her daughter," said her mother, Carletta Junius. "You don't know what God's plan is. She was innocent — just sitting there waiting at the light — didn't know anything."
According to police, Junius' Kia Optima was stopped behind a Chevy Impala at a red light in northbound traffic on Manchester Road at West Wilbeth Road about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday when a Ford Taurus, driven by a man traveling north, failed to maintain an assured clear distance and struck the Kia.
Because of the initial impact, the Kia was pushed into the Chevy, police said.
Junius was unconscious and taken to Cleveland Clinic Akron General, where she died just after 10 a.m., according to the medical examiner's office. The two other drivers weren't injured.
Akron police Lt. Michael Miller said Thursday the driver of the Taurus will face charges after officers finish analyzing evidence.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron woman killed in car accident was 'role model' family says
