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Prayer Vigil To Be Held For Critically Injured Accident Victim Save Email Print
28 comments
A | A | A

(September 5, 2008)—A candlelight vigil will be held Friday night for a college coed who was critically injured when a pickup truck whose driver police said ran a red light while racing slammed into the side of her car a week ago at the intersection of South 18th Street and Franklin avenue in Waco.

Fonda Jones, 20, remains in Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center, where she was taken in critical condition after the accident last Friday.

The junior mass communications major at Texas State University was home for a Labor Day weekend visit at the time of the crash.

The prayer vigil begins at 8 p.m. Friday in the courtyard near the hospital’s fountain area.

Earlier this week police arrested Noe Alejandro Yanez-Palacious, 21, and were looking for Benjamin Martinez, 21, after warrants were issued for both men charging two-vehicle racing causing bodily injury in connection with the accident.

Fonda was driving east just after 8 p.m. Friday on Franklin Avenue when her car was struck by the pickup truck.

Two passengers in Fonda’s car, Kelvin Tomlinson, 19, of Waco and Patrick Lucas, 39, of Waco were also injured, but have since been released from the hospital, police said.

The driver of the pickup fled, police said.

Officers later arrested Martinez.

He was charged with fleeing from the scene of the accident, police said, and was released after posting bond.

Waco Police Department Press Release
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Posted by: EDNA Location: OAK CLIFF on Sep 12, 2008 at 05:38 PM
TO THE IDIOT( ME )THAT WROTE GOOD LUCK TO THE MEN THAT CAUSED THIS ACCIDENT WHY IN GOD'S NAME WOULD YOU WISH THIS FOR THOSE DEVILS BECAUSE THOSE WERE DEVILS DOING DELVISH THINGS YOU MUST BE MARRIED TO ONE OF THEM THE WAY THAT YOU ARE PRAISING THEM. WISHING THEM LUCK WISH THEM TO BE LOCKED UP SOMEWHERE THE NEXT PERSON OR PERSONS THAT THEY HIT IT MAY BE YOUR FAMILY MEMBER I GUESS YOU ARE GOING TO WISH THEM LUCK THEN. YES PRAY FOR FONDA BUT DON'T PRAISE DEVILS THEY WERE WRONG IF THEY WERE MY BROTHERS THEY STILL WOULD BE WRONG AND SHOULD BE PUNISHED TO THE FULLEST. YOU SOUND LIKE YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED SINCE YOU SAID YA'LL DON'T KNOW WHAT YA'LL TALKING ABOUT THEN YOU TELL US DEVIL ON THERE SIDE TAKING UP FOR THEM THEY WERE WRONG WHAT PART DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND YOU ARE A BIGGER IDIOT THAN THEY ARE WISH THEM LUCK HOW SAD LUCK IN WHAT THAT THEY KILL SOMEBODY NEXT TIME YOU ARE THE ONE THAT NEED TO KEEP YOUR MOUTH CLOSED CAUSE THAT WAS A STUPID COMMENT. YOU SHOULD BE TELLING THEM TO PRAY FOR HER
Posted by: J Location: Waco on Sep 9, 2008 at 04:38 PM
I am praying for my friend and awaiting her recovery = )
Posted by: Ashalin Location: Austin on Sep 8, 2008 at 05:20 PM
My thoughts and prayers are with Fonda and her finally. I had recently met her over the summer and was really impressed with how motivated she was to obtain the goals she had set for herself.
Posted by: Double Concerned Location: Dallas on Sep 8, 2008 at 03:06 PM
AMEN DALLAS;;;; WAKE UP PEOPLE.....Who cares if they were black, white or Hispanic.....They almost killed a young lady...White people break the law, black people break the law, middle east people break the law etc..... The only problem is they don’t all get the same punishment. That’s another story and a different time. Stop worrying about those idiots. Once Phonda get betters then we as tax payers need to follow the case all the way to the courts and make sure those idiots get what they deserve............ I know I am but half of you on here raising sand want do anything when it come time to making things happen. Waco is a good old boy town and we need to make sure they don’t get off. So stand up or SHUT UP!!!
Posted by: cee Location: ft.hood on Sep 8, 2008 at 11:44 AM
fonda.i dont know you are your family...i said a prayer for you this morning...i believe god will bring you thru...i trust and believe that..to the family stay strong...know that god is in control...god bless...
Posted by: Concerned Location: Dallas on Sep 8, 2008 at 07:01 AM
I just want to know why are people wasting there time focusing on RACE. I personal didn’t know a race tied with a name. This is why the DEVIL continues to be successful because he always tries to turn people focus on the bad. The only comments on this site should be about the young lady"PHONDA" and her family. I will continue to pray for her and her family and let GOD deal with the idiots.
Posted by: sugar Location: allen,tx on Sep 7, 2008 at 08:51 PM
Let's all please keep this beautiful young lady in our prayers. Let's pray for her family. As for the idiots that were speed racing show some kind of compassion go to the family stop running you can run but you can't hide. Is it that hard to say I am so very sorry for doing something so stupid? I bet they didn't even get a scratch on them it's so sad the innocent people are always the one to get hurt the one's that caused the accidents just walk away as if nothing happened. We will all be praying for Fonda trying to do something positive with her life and these idiots try and take all that away by doing the negative. PLEASE DON'T LET THEM DO THIS TO ANYONE ELSE TAKE THEM OFF THE STREETS BEFORE THIS HAPPENS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Me Location: Waco on Sep 7, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Just Because His Name Sounds Hispanic Do not Mean He Is From Mexico So Please People If You Don`t Know Were He Is From Just Don`t Say Nothing There Many People With Hispanic Names And There NOT Hispanic Because Not Every Is From The U.S.A So Keep Ya`ll Mouth Close Before Ya`ll Say Some thing About Some One That Ya`ll Don`t Even Know And Stop Being Races.And We Hope The Best For The Lady Because Only God Knows Why This Kind Of Accidents Happen We Wish The Lady For A Good Recovery And Good Luck For The Two Men That Were In That Accident Too................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Anon Location: Waco on Sep 7, 2008 at 11:33 AM
I will be praying for this young woman's speed recovery. I agree that street racing is getting out of hand. This poor girl's life is in the balance because of two young men's stupidity. They need to be held accountable for their actions. Does the one that ran really think they will never be caught? Arrest him and make him pay for what he did.
Posted by: Jacenta Location: Houston, TX Hometown Waco on Sep 7, 2008 at 01:59 AM
I don't know Fonda nor her family but it seems like she was a beautiful person. I stumbled across this news from a friend on MySpace. I will continue to pray for Fonda in her great recovery. To the family: You have to say, claim it, believe it and recieve it.....she is healed in Jesus' Name.
Posted by: X.G. Location: Temple on Sep 6, 2008 at 11:20 PM
What a horrible incident! My prayers are with the entire family, as well as the passengers who were with this young lady. My husband works with an uncle of hers, here in Temple, and this is a terrible time for their entire family.....Auntie's right though....we need to hand it all over to God!
Posted by: Auntie Location: Temple on Sep 6, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Let's concentrate on GOD in this time of need. We, the family appreciate your prayers as we continually put our trust in our Lord and Savior. We know GOD will take care of Fonda and he will restore her mind, body, and flesh for she is a child of the King. Vengence is mine said the LORD and we will leave the ill feeling for him to heal. God Bless you.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 6, 2008 at 02:02 AM
T you must know these people are so in this country you are supposed to do your civic duty and turn them in to the authority.
Posted by: JP on Sep 6, 2008 at 01:10 AM
The family greatly appreciates everyone who attended the prayer vigil and who has been praying for her. We have FAITH that Fonda is going to pull through. She is a fighter. She is going to be a walking testimony.
Posted by: Don Location: Hewitt on Sep 6, 2008 at 12:30 AM
Right is right and wrong is wrong, PERIOD! If the driver who caused this accident was pink, it would not make any differnce. That he is hispanic is a mute pint. That he broke the law, caused a tragic accident, and then ran is is the travesty. I pray that this young lady makes a remarkable recovery & is able to continue living, loving & laughing. I encourage all who are reading these comments to pray earnestly for her complete recovery. Remember, God specializes in things tho't impossible.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Cen Tex on Sep 5, 2008 at 05:01 PM
O.K. people- why does our people who serve in government, whom are paid by the public, not stepping up and saying enough is enough with reckless driving! I don't think it matters what nationality this person is, he needs to make restitution to the victim and realize the punishment for breaking the law... racing on public streets is against the law. If we have laws without enforcement, then you can just think like that driver did, that the law does not mean much! Why do we as a society have to continue to accept the lawlessness of these lawbreakers? What are we, as taxpayers paying for???? We don't need so many "administrators" of government, that the law is not enforced. Get on with enforcement or vacate the position to someone who will uphold the responsibility. Too many people are driving under the influence or distracted by their own self worth that they think they are multi tasked, but do operate a vehicle responsible. The innocent in society should not pay this price.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 5, 2008 at 03:40 PM
Let’s make sure we focus on the beautiful young lady and let GOD due the judging. It’s hard for me to feel sorry for the young men, because they ran and I am from the old school only chickens run. No matter what the race is they need to get there punishment. Especially after they ran. I will keep her and her family in my prayers.
Posted by: p Location: temple on Sep 5, 2008 at 03:36 PM
You are in our thoughts and prayers. God please give the doctors and nurses the patients and wisdom to care for her.
Posted by: T Location: WACO on Sep 5, 2008 at 03:20 PM
TO OLD SCHOOL WHAT MAKES YOU THINK HE IS FROM MEXICO WHERE YOU FROM MAYBE YOU NEEED TO GO BACK WHERE YOU CAME FROM AND THIS YOUNG LADY IS IN MY PRAYERS
Posted by: Old School Location: Old School on Sep 5, 2008 at 03:13 PM
well, I may be wrong, but Im willing to bet that one of the 2 men were illegal aliens from the great country of mexicrap.
Posted by: Excuse Me? Location: Waco on Sep 5, 2008 at 02:30 PM
Ok, I know that us Hispanic people are not wanted here in the US, but why does Mexico have to take them blame for two idiots that were probably from here anyway. This is why the world is the way it is, you punish and point fingers at the whole race for the mistakes of two of them. Please don't be that foolish to think that all Hispanic people are like that! To the young lady's family, may God bring you peace, comfort and strength in this your time of need!
Posted by: SickOfOldSchool Location: Temple on Sep 5, 2008 at 02:30 PM
.......and take the white closet bigot Old School with you, too
Posted by: Curt Hancock Location: Waco, TX on Sep 5, 2008 at 01:23 PM
It is so sad to read stories like this. She looks so pleasant in the photo included with this news story and I am sure that she has people who genuinely care for her. Can you imagine their grief? The street is no place to race, risking the lives of innocent people. I certainly hope those that are responsible face the the facts and feel remorse for their actions. If they are unable to do that, I hope they are judged and punished accordingly.
Posted by: t Location: temple on Sep 5, 2008 at 01:09 PM
WHAT MAKES YOU THINK HE'S FROM MEXICO JUST BECAUSE OF THE NAME. WELL YOUR WRONG,
Posted by: waco Location: waco on Sep 5, 2008 at 12:12 PM
I hope those two get what they deserve. She looks like a beautiful girl and person. I will not be able to attend but will say my own prayer at the 8:00 hour. God Bless all and please keep us informed on her well being.
Posted by: cee Location: ft.hood on Sep 5, 2008 at 12:03 PM
my prayers are with this family..this is a beautiful young lady....i pray for her recovery...i will keep her in my prayers....god bless
Posted by: Old School Location: Old School on Sep 5, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Mexico.... please take your people back....
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