VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - A Valdosta family is getting some sense of justice after waiting two months for lab results to show the person accused of killing their daughter in a crash was under the influence.

Valdosta Police said in November the driver of a pickup truck drove through a traffic light at the intersection of Barack Obama Boulevard and Eastwind Road in Valdosta and hit another car.

Twenty-four-year-old Samantha Lynn Clark was the passenger of the vehicle that was hit. She was taken to the hospital where she died.

Now, her parents say the judicial process needs to change, in order to get justice for the countless families affected by drunk drivers.

“This is unfair to us. But not just to us, anyone else who has to go through this. Anybody, something needs to be done,” Jack Clark, father of the victim.

The pickup truck was driven by 23-year-old Jonathan Bernard Marshall.

On the morning of the accident, VPD arrested Marshall, the driver of the pickup truck, for driving under the influence of alcohol after he refused to participate in a breathalyzer.

Samantha’s mother said before Samantha and her fiancé, Trevor, were taken to the hospital he pulled her out of the crash trying to save her.

Patrica Clark said, “He said he knew when she said she could see her papa, he knew what time it was and all he could do was hold on tight.”

On Jan. 3, VPD received laboratory results from the GBI confirming that Marshall was driving under the influence. Additional charges of homicide by vehicle in the first degree (felony), failure to obey a traffic signal (misdemeanor), and failure to wear a seatbelt (misdemeanor) were filed against him.

After months of waiting for the results from the lab, the Clarks say they are working to ensure this does not happen to another innocent person.

“We’re going to make sure this doesn’t happen anymore”....“Because he took an innocent life.”

Samantha’s parents said she loved her family and her friends, and she will be missed by many.

“Her beautiful face...she had one of the most beautiful faces,” her mother said.

Her father said, “Her smile...her laughter...just so much.”

The Clarks will continue to fight until the person responsible for Samantha’s death is held accountable.

Previous coverage:

• Valdosta Police make arrest in deadly November crash
• Woman killed in early Sunday morning crash in Valdosta

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 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.