Detroit family needs help to bury teen killed by suspected drunk driver
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By MAURIELLE LUE MyFox Detroit Reporter
DETROIT (MyFox Detroit) -- 15-year-old Jalen Martin of Detroit was killed as he was walked down the street. The person responsible is an alleged drunk driver.
"If I could just have one moment with my son, I would just tell Jalen I love him so much," said Lisa Martin.
The Martin family has survived their share of hard times, but what they're going through now is a true test. They're a big family. Lisa and Willie had seven kids, so there was little money. They never expected to have to bury a child.
"I lost my job, laid off, and in the process of that we lost the house. Now I lose my son," said Willie Martin.
"His life was church. All he knew was church," Lisa Martin said.
It was outside of his own church on Gratiot between Seven and Eight Mile that Jalen was hit by an alleged drunk driver. Lisa came out and prayed for the victim. She had no idea it was her own son.
"His legs (were) twisted on the opposite side. His arm was savaged. His head was just opened up all because of somebody want to drink, want to drive," said Lisa Martin.
"My mom had me and then she had three sisters, and I would always cry mom please give me a brother, and for my brother... to be gone, I built a deep bond with my brother. It's just a difficult thing. This is real difficult," said Willie Martin, Junior.
Jalen was killed on August 18, but his family hasn't been able to raise the $2,000 they need to lay him to rest.
"That hurts. That bothers me more than anything because I'm a good mother and my husband is a good dad."
"We want to put my brother away right. He didn't deserve (to die) the way he did. We can't afford it. Just please help my family," Willie Martin, Junior said.
The family told us they're happy to know that the alleged drunk driver will be facing charges, but they said right now the only thing they care about is getting Jalen to his final resting place.
If you would like to help, donations can be sent care of the Power Praise Deliverance Ministry, 14601 Gratiot, Detroit, MI 48205.
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