'Gone without a goodbye' -- Family of man killed in hit and run plans vigil
Dec. 25—A Medford mother said community support has helped her family get through the first few weeks of life without her longtime partner, fiancé Zachary Mitchell.
Lacey Mobley and her three children are hosting a memorial at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Fichtner-Mainwaring Park on Stewart Avenue in Medford. They plan to release orange balloons — her late partner's favorite color — and hold a candlelight vigil. Mobley said the event will give those in attendance a chance to share stories and also show his three children how much the 34-year-old was loved.
Mitchell was struck and killed on Interstate 5 near Red Bluff on the drive home Nov. 28 from his father's funeral in Happy Valley, California. Mitchell and Mobley had pulled over in the wee hours of the morning to trade seats — to allow Mobley to drive for part of the trip — after he had driven for the first 10 hours.
Mobley was putting on her shoes and getting ready to walk around the car when Miller was struck and killed, Mobley said.
The details of that day, and the pain her family is enduring, have made it difficult to move forward, said the mom. The couple's two youngest children, 5-year-old Paizley Mitchell and 8-year-old Teagan Mobley, witnessed the accident. The oldest, 15-year-old Landon Mobley, didn't make the trip.
The youngest child and only girl was talking to her dad when he was hit by a 55-year-old man from the Dalles, driving a 2014 Toyota Prius.
The family had been at the funeral of his dad — to whom Mitchell was extremely close.
"Zac and his dad, Frank Mitchell, were best friends. Their bond was what everyone wishes for as a father and son. Losing his dad was hard on our family, but losing Zac is unbearable," Mobley said this week. Mobley said the wait for emergency personnel went on for an eternity.
"Paizley was talking to her dad out the window when he was struck. He flew in front of our car. The other car kept going, hit or run or not, he wasn't there as a second pair of hands for me and my family," said the mom.
"My kids sat in the car frantic and our dog barking uncontrollably, with me running from Zac's body to the car with one shoe on and having to be on the phone with 911 asking all these questions I couldn't answer."
She added, "I kissed him and told him I love him and he can't leave me alone. I can't believe he's gone. My heart hurts so bad, I physically think I'm going to die of a broken heart. Our whole world had changed."
Following the accident, Mobley had to drive toward Medford with her kids, meeting up in Yreka with family who helped her finish the drive. Mobley said the "what ifs" play out in her mind day and night; what if the family had stopped for a hotel room; what if they'd slept in the car instead of driving straight through?
For the three kids, everyday activities, such as playing favorite video games or experiencing the holidays without their dad, brings unexpected tears. The kids write letters to him each night, saying "how much they miss him," Mobley said.
Living a new reality, Mobley finds herself unable to return to the family's apartment in Medford. Adding insult to injury, they have to move all their belongings by Jan. 15, as Mobley wasn't on the lease with Mitchell.
Facing her first Christmas alone, Mobley said her car is breaking down, and she's unsure of where the family will live after they pack up the home they shared with Mitchell. Community support has trickled in by way of everything from meal deliveries and donations to help with bills, constant words of support, messages on social media, even tickets to the local children's museum Polar Express event. One community member acquired some collectible items and "bling" after sharing the family's story with the Seattle Seahawks, 15-year-old Landon's favorite team.
"It's all been so hard. I've been to our apartment two times since this happened. I can't bear to be there alone without him anyways," Mobley said.
"But I can't even put in words how much the community has come together. ... If it wasn't for all the love and support and the tears and hugs, I promise I wouldn't be here today."
She added, "Never have I thought there could be a rainbow at the end of a storm like this. ... It's hard when I have these constant reminders how he's gone. Everyone's lives have moved on, but mine has completely stopped. Everything that was familiar to me is gone. ... We had a whole life together, and it's gone without even goodbye."
Reach reporter Buffy Pollock at 541-776-8784 or bpollock@rosebudmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @orwritergal
