A nine-month-old boy was orphaned after his parents were killed by a speeding “drunk driver” who crashed into their car on an Ohio road.
Jacob Hahn, 24, and Savannah Harding, 22, were killed in a three-car crash east of Stony Ridge, leaving behind their infant son Beckett Wayne.
On Dec. 9, 55-year-old Samantha Hammons was driving along the Fremont Pike when she rear-ended the young couple's car, causing it to veer into the eastbound lane and be struck by another driver, police said.
Hahn and Harding were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Perrysburg Municipal Court documents, Hammons was under the influence of alcohol before getting behind the wheel.
Savannah Harding, 22, and Jacob Hahn, 24, were killed in a high-speed crash after a 'drunk driver' hit their car. The couple is survived by their nine-month-old son Beckett
The couple was hit from behind by Samantha Hammons, 55, who was speeding while drunk on the Fremont Pike in Wood County, Ohio, police said. Her two adult daughters were in the backseat
The young couple was pronounced dead at the scene after their car veered onto the eastbound lane where it was struck by another driver
Hammons' adult daughters, Heather and Asia, were in the backseat during the crash. They were not injured and Hammons was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.
Those who knew Hahn and Harding took to social media to commemorate their lives.
Dale Marie, the photographer who planned to capture their wedding, left a tribute on Facebook, writing: 'The evening of December 9th, a bride and groom-to-be, Savannah Harding and Jakob Hahn, who booked me to celebrate their engagement and wedding day, the victim of an unfortunate circumstance.
“A reckless driver who failed to realize the impact his irresponsible actions would have on so many people took two innocent lives while driving on Route 20. They leave behind a precious nine-month-old son, Beckett.”
The photographer said she met Beckett during the couple's consultation, where Harding expressed the importance of including the little boy in as many photos as possible.
“I want to continue to honor her wishes as much as possible,” she wrote, promising to photograph Beckett's growth through a “milestone package.”
Harding's sister, Brooklyn, described the 22-year-old and her young fiancé as “the sweetest souls.”
“My heart hurts so much now that you are gone,” she wrote.
Harding was remembered by her sister, Brooklyn, as “the sweetest soul” and a “role model”
Hahn's cousin, Brooke Johnson, recalled how excited the 24-year-old was to become a father
In a Facebook post, Johnson urged her cousin and his fiancée to watch over Beckett and “protect him from this crazy world”
Hammons has been charged with two counts of aggravated murder in the couple's deaths. The charge carries a mandatory prison sentence of two to eight years
“You were one of my biggest role models growing up. You made me an aunt for the first time to little Beckett. I will always be there for him. We all will.'
She vowed to “fight forever” for her sister, adding that Hammons deserved to “rot.”
Hahn's cousin, Brooke Johnson, said her emotions were “all over the place” after the 24-year-old's death.
“I'm so sad, but mostly angry,” she wrote. “Angry that an irresponsible and reckless woman took the lives of two very young people who were basically just starting to live their lives.”
She continued, “My heart is completely broken for sweet Beckett because he will never know how wonderful his parents were and how much they loved him!”
When Hahn heard he was going to be a father, “I could tell he was terrified, but so happy!”
Johnson ended the post urging her cousin and his fiancée to watch over Beckett and “protect him from this crazy world.”
Hammons was booked into the Wood County Jail and a judge set her bail at $500,000. She has been charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide.
The charge is a second-degree felony in Ohio, punishable by a mandatory prison sentence of two to eight years, as well as a lifetime license suspension.