By Tayleigh Davis - bio | email
SYLVESTER, GA (WALB) - Two years ago, a south Georgia teenager died after another teen suspected of drag racing hit him. The victim's family is still waiting for justice. Stephen Dietzel's loved ones held a vigil to honor him and push for movement in the criminal case.
As wax falls from candles, tears fall from faces as family and friends remember Stephen Dietzel. Dietzel's aunt, Carol Dietzel-Roaten remembers him as the energetic, cutup who loved his family.
"It's taken a toll on our family," said Dietzel-Roaten. "Stephen was outgoing and loving. He was the party of the crowd.
As cousins wear t-shirts, ribbons, and light candles, they remember him as the 18-year old who loved country music and cars.
" He would go with us to the races in Cordele and Albany Speedway," Diane Germany-Jackson, a good friend told WALB. "I miss him. He was a good guy."
Dietzel's family says he was driving East on Red Rock road when two cars driving West were racing. 17-year old Jason Williams was driving in the wrong lane when he hit Dietzel, knocking his car in a ditch and killing him.
Two years ago, Dietzel was on his way to pick up his sisters from school. He was pronounced dead around 3:20 p.m.
"It was just a normal day and the guy was driving 82 MPH," Bietzel-Roaten added.
That's nearly 30 miles above the speed limit. Police charged Williams with vehicular homicide. His trial date is not set yet. It should be sometime this year.
"I think he should get justice," Germany-Jackson said. "The boy is out doing his thing. That's not right. God doesn't believe in ugly and I think he should take his punishment too.
As friends and family listen to his favorite music, they too wish they had one more day with him.
©2010 WALB News. All rights reserved. Feedback
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Worldnow and WALB, a Raycom Media Station. 
