Family and friends gathered to remember a Georgia couple and their young son who were killed in a horrific crash in New Jersey on Thursday.
Ainsworth and Jaqueline Mallett, their son Drew and daughter Nikki were on their way back from a holiday visit with family when they crashed on the New Jersey Turnpike.
Stephenson High School, where Nikki graduated from and Mrs. Mallett worked, opened its campus Sunday evening to the community. Hundreds gathered during a vigil to remember the family members.
Mourners paid their respects at the Mallett family's Jamaican restaurant Friday and Saturday, staring in disbelief at the memorial started in their honor. The Stone Mountain family opened the Golden Krust on Rockbridge Road about seven years ago.
Family friend Aubry Charles says the family was well-loved in the community, and called the Malletts a "hard-working, dedicated family." The family worked together to run their restaurant, with Mr. Mallett cooking, Nikki taking orders, serving food and running the register, and Mrs. Mallett helping out.
Nikki recently graduated from Stephenson High School, and just completed her first semester in college before the holidays. Mrs. Mallett worked at Stephenson Middle School as an administrator and counselor, where her son Drew was a student.
Many in the community say it's hard to believe that everyone but Nikki is now gone.
"It's a big loss. It's a great loss," said Charles.
Friends and family say Nikki Mallett was released from the hospital on Friday afternoon.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:55 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:55:03 GMT
The actor James Gandolfini, best known for his award-winning portrayal of New Jersey mobster Tony Soprano in the HBO series "The Sopranos," has died in Italy. He was 51.
The actor James Gandolfini, best known for his award-winning portrayal of New Jersey mobster Tony Soprano in the HBO series "The Sopranos," has died in Italy. He was 51.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:53 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:53:25 GMT
Joe Torre's daughter caught a 1-year-old boy who fell from a fire escape outside a second-floor apartment in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn Wednesday morning.
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New York state and Eastman Kodak Co. have reached a deal that will keep some of the troubled company's operations in Rochester and provide $49 million for environmental cleanup at the once bustling Eastman...
New York state and Eastman Kodak Co. have reached a deal that will keep some of the troubled company's operations in Rochester and provide $49 million for environmental cleanup at the once bustling Eastman Business Park.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:51:22 GMT
Franklin Reyes, 17, was in court Wednesday. He is charged with the death of 4-year-old Ariel Russo.
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Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:13:15 GMT
More than 70 percent of New Jersey residents have seen or heard the state's "Stronger than the Storm" advertising campaign, according to a new Rutgers-Eagleton poll.
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Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:30 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:30:42 GMT
The FBI has found possible human remains in a dig at the New York City house once occupied by a famous gangster. An FBI spokesman confirmed Wednesday that agents found material that they want to test as part of an investigation.
The FBI has found possible human remains in a dig at the New York City house once occupied by a famous gangster. An FBI spokesman confirmed Wednesday that agents found material that they want to test as part of an investigation.
Ainsworth and Jaqueline Mallett
Drew Mallett, 12, and his parents were killed in a crash in New Jersey. His sister Nikki Mallett, 18, is the only surviving family member.
