WALB is working to produce a video for this story. In the meantime, we encourage you to watch our livestream.

CORDELE, Ga. (WALB) — Family members gathered to celebrate a father who lost his life alongside his seven-year-old daughter in a Halloween DUI crash in Oct., 2025.

Jaylan Bell would have turned 31 on March 27, 2026, a milestone his family said he should be here to see. The Bell family, Texas residents, traveled to Georgia to celebrate his birthday in the state where he and his daughter were killed.

“Today is very bittersweet that the family have came together as one,” Bell’s girlfriend, Gracie Watts, said. “I like how everyone came together, as one, to celebrate him.”

Bell and his young daughter, Za’riah Ward, were killed in a DUI crash on Oct. 31, 2025, in Cordele, Ga.

Police reports said Bailey Green, the suspected drunk driver, was driving nearly 100 miles per hour when he crashed the vehicle carrying Jaylan Bell, Za’riah Ward, Gracie Watts, and a friend.

Gracie Watts and their friend, who remained unnamed, survived.

“I have my days every single day where I could just break down and cry,” Watts explained. “That was my family, my boyfriend, and my baby, and they both left me behind. So I’m never going to be the same Gracie I was before.”

Nearly five months later, relatives chose to honor Bell’s life by holding onto tradition and celebrating his birthday together in Albany.

“This is something we always do even when he was alive,” Jaylan’s aunt, Sabrina Bell said. “We always got together and did a celebration. About three weeks before he passed, he had asked me to get a family reunion together. So I’ve been telling everybody — this is our family reunion to Jalen for his birthday.”

This family gathering, in the Garden Center at Historic Rawson Circle, comes as Green has another hearing, in Crisp County, on March 30, 2026.

The Crisp County Superior Court Clerk’s Office said Green’s attorney filed two motions: one to clarify the conditions of bond and another motion to suppress evidence and statements they say were obtained unlawfully by police.

Court filings list Green’s updated charges:

• Six counts of Homicide by Vehicle in the First Degree
• Twelve counts of Serious Injury by Vehicle
• Four counts of Aggravated Assault
• Driving Under the Influence
• Driving Under the Influence (Less Safe) (Alcohol)
• Possession of an Open Container in the Vehicle Passenger Area
• Failure to Maintain Lane
• Reckless Driving
• Speeding
• Failure to Use a Safety Belt in a Passenger Vehicle

Jaylan Bell’s sister, Shaquinta Jenkins-McCoy, explained that the court date adds another layer of emotion to an already difficult day.

“It’s not right for us to be celebrating my dead brother and the person that took his life is at home laughing and doing whatever with his family,” she said. “We’re waiting on that justice. And I hope it’s sooner rather than later.”

While they continue to grieve, they said they are also searching for a sense of normalcy: marking birthdays, sharing memories and leaning on one another as they wait for justice.

Jaylan and Za’riah’s family said this celebration is not just about remembrance, but about keeping a father and daughter’s spirit alive, even as they prepare for what comes next in court.

“We’re ready for justice to be served for Jaylan and Za’riah” Jaylan’s sister, Shaquera Jenkins said. “We’ll have peace when we get our justice, but we will never feel the same.”

The Crisp County Superior Clerk’s Office said today’s hearing documents are not available at this time.

Bailey Green is currently out on a $100,000 bond.

WALB will update this story when motion rulings and other updates are made available.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2026 WALB. All rights reserved.