Detroit family remembers 18-year-old who died in car accident: “It’s a painful feeling”

(CBS) – A young life that ended too soon. That's what the family of 18-year-old Tamya Durr told CBS News Detroit after she died in a high-speed crash involving a drunk driver on Sunday evening.

The crash also killed the driver of the Dodge Charger Durr was riding in and seriously injured another passenger in that vehicle. Detroit police say the driver of the Charger was speeding and a second driver was drunk.

“I was in bed,” said Tamy's father, Terry Durr. “At about 8:30 a.m. I got a call from her godmother saying she was missing.”

Terry Durr says he started making phone calls and learned that his daughter may have been involved in a fatal accident.

“It’s crazy, [I’m] hurt,” said Tamya's mother, Korliss Paulateer. “It's a hurtful feeling.”

The accident occurred late Sunday night around 11:40 p.m. near Gratiot Avenue and Harper Avenue in east Detroit. Tamya was a high school senior who, according to her parents, was spirited and fun-loving.

“She had the rest of her life ahead of her,” Terry Durr said. “No parent expects to wake up the next morning and hear that their daughter has died after speaking to them that night.”

Paulateer says the drunk driver should never have gotten behind the wheel.

“Just don’t do it [drive drunk]she said. “Leave the alcohol behind if you want to drive [or] just don’t drive at all.”

Tamya's family plans to hold a candlelight vigil on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 8 p.m. at 9963 Gratiot Avenue.