Gwinnett County authorities are still seeking information to help explain the death of Natina Reed, 32, a popular member of the late 1990s female group Blaque, who was struck and killed late Friday while standing in a roadway just north of Lilburn. The incident report listed her address as 7065 Jimmy Carter Blvd., the address of StudioPlus Atlanta Peachtree Corners extended stay motel in Norcross.
Reed’s mother’s Tamara Goodridge said the motel was not her daughter’s permanant address. “She was in transition, about to move into a new home.”
Goodridge said the family is frustrated with the lack of information surrounding Reed’s death. She said the family has had a difficult time obtaining a copy of the accident report from Gwinnett County police. Police said the report was made available Thursday – three to five days after the accident, which is standard procedure.
“We are not dragging our feet. We are doing a thorough investigation,” Gwinnett police corporal Edwin Ritter told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Police received a call around 10:30 p.m. Friday that a woman had been struck by a red Honda Accord on Lawrenceville Highway near Hamilton Road, just north of Lilburn.
Investigators were still trying to determine why Reed was in the roadway and whether she was crossing or walking alongside it. Reed was wearing dark clothing in an area that had no lighting, according to the incident report.
Other than the driver, who was not charged, and a passenger in the car, there did not appear to be any additional witnesses, according to the report.
Police said toxicology reports are pending and are standard in fatal accidents.
Meanwhile Goodridge said family members want answers so that they can help Reed’s 10-year-old son Tren understand his mother’s death. “It’s an empty report. It still doesn’t give us answers.”
“We are hurt and distraught about the untimely death of our daughter Natina,” said Goodridge, who was overcome with emotion during a Thursday press conference in downtown Atlanta.
Goodridge said services for Reed will be Saturday at Abundant Life Church in Lithonia. It is open to the public.
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