Janelle Jones experienced a devastating loss when her fiancé and baby daughter were killed in a car crash four years ago. Chris Johnson was driving his truck with their daughter, Addison Johnson, when they tragically veered off an embankment into Little Walnut River in Kansas’ Flint Hills region.
It was later determined that Johnson had been drinking excessively — Jones disclosed that he was three times over the legal alcohol limit.
The accident occurred on March 11, 2020, and it took nearly a month before the body of Jones’ daughter was found.
It emerged that Johnson had consumed nearly 30 beers before driving with their child.
Jones has taken to social media to discuss her partner’s struggle with alcoholism, expressing that “loving a drug addict or an active alcoholic is the hardest thing you will ever do.”
“Watching someone you love, who has fought so hard to beat addiction, throw everything away and sink back into a life that will most likely lead to jail or death, is one of the hardest things you will ever do,” she wrote in a Facebook post shared in August.
In a conversation with KWCH, Jones described the close bond her partner and daughter shared, stating she ‘didn’t ever think anything could come between that,’ but ultimately, Johnson’s addiction took ‘control’.
Jones is left dealing with ‘a lot of anger’ and ‘a lot of grief,’ as she told KSN.
Speaking to the outlet, she said: “As a mom, I go to Walmart, and I get triggered by the baby section, or a song, or even just seeing other people’s little kids because I’m never going to have the chance to have mine back.”
Jones continues to speak out about the loss of her partner and child to raise awareness and encourage others to make safer choices.
“Addi didn’t have a choice, but when people go out and celebrate, they get that opportunity to make that right choice to not drink and drive,” she stated. “This is something that changes your life forever.”
Jones emphasizes the importance of having a plan for safe travel home before celebrating, as alcohol can ‘take over’ your ‘actions, thinking,’ and ‘speaking,’ leading you to act without considering ‘what you’re doing’ or ‘what it could cost’.
Jones added: “I am sure there is any family member, any friend, that would rather give you a ride after you’ve been out and had too much to drink than never have to deal with the fact that maybe we lost a life.”
“[…] This isn’t something that anybody wants to put anyone through; it’s not something that they might be able to go through themselves.”
Jones also shares her story to help raise funds for the nonprofit DUI Victims Center of Kansas, which provides support to those impacted by ‘impaired driving’.
If you have experienced a bereavement and wish to speak with someone confidentially, contact The Compassionate Friends at (877) 969-0010.
If you have been affected by addiction and want to talk to someone confidentially, you can reach the American Addiction Centers at (888) 324-0595, available 24/7, or contact them through their website.