May 19, 2013
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - It's a living nightmare for two families linked forever in grief and loss following Wednesday's early morning hit and run along Washington Pike in Knoxville.
"It's almost surreal. I feel like it's just a dream. But it's not," said Nelson Soto, Jr.
It happened after Chasity Thornell, who was seven months pregnant, and a friend ran out of gas. They then knocked on Nelson Soto, Sr.'s door.
"He just wanted to help somebody put some gas in the car, you know? I guess it was just his time, you know?" said Soto, Jr.
As Thornell hugged Soto to thank him for his help, police say a speeding silver Ford Explorer hit them, killing Soto, Thornell and her unborn child.
Visitation for Soto will be held at the between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Saturday at the Callahan Road Baptist Church, while the funeral will be at 2:00 p.m. at Woodhaven Funeral Home the next day. A memorial fund has been established in his name at Suntrust Bank.
Thornell's family said they will be welcoming friends at Stevens Mortuary, 1304 Oglewood Ave., from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday. The funeral will follow immediately afterward. There is a memorial fund established in her name at TVA Credit Union.
Police found the driver's SUV at a home in North Knoxville Wednesday afternoon. Officers have identified a suspect, who's hired an attorney.
They said once they finished processing his vehicle, they'll seek warrants for his arrest and will release his name.
"You just have to breathe one second at a time, and know that she's with her dad, and all the earth things are gone," said Renfro.
Both families said they're relieved a suspect has been identified, but continue to mourn the loss of their loved ones.
"She was really, really smart. Very, very beautiful. Very sweet - clearly she was hugging the man who helped her when she died," said Shelly Renfro, Thornell's aunt.
Renfro said Thornell also leaves behind a daughter, Ava, who turns 2 in August. She said the family will make sure she never forgets her mother.
"We'll just stick together and always talk about Chas - there's tons and tons of pictures and videos of Chasity. Just always show her and tell her," said Renfro.
Soto leaves behind five children, who said he was a loving, hardworking Christian who loved fishing and soccer.
"He'd give the shirt off of his back to anybody. I mean, he was just an awesome, awesome dad. I'm going to miss him a lot, I'm going to miss him a lot," said Soto, Jr.
As they struggle with their grief, both families are still tying to understand how this could have happened.
"Who can hit someone and not stop? I mean, if you hit a bird, you feel bad. If you hit a dog, you stop. But i mean, who hits a person and keeps going?" said Renfro.
"You just have to breathe one second at a time, and know that she's with her dad, and all the earth things are gone," said Renfro.
