She had been kidnapped and savagely beaten, but Janae Rice survived. And 10 years later, she was thriving.
“She found the strength to somehow still be very outgoing, outspoken,” Ray Coleman, Rice’s brother, said Tuesday. “She was very positive, enjoyed life.”
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Rice lived in California with her 12-year-old son, but traveled to Atlanta for the long weekend, planning to surprise her brother on Memorial Day. Instead, she was killed Sunday after a man trying to get away from police officers ran a stop sign and caused a crash, according to police. Rice was 32.
Officers were conducting an undercover investigation near the West End when they identified the driver of a Chevrolet Malibu as a person of interest, according to the Atlanta Police Department. Demarco Mosley, 25, was behind the wheel, but he refused to stop as he drove northbound on Peters Street and sped up, police said.
“At the next intersection to McDaniel Street, the suspect ran a red traffic signal and struck a passing motorist on the passenger side of the vehicle,” Sgt. Warren Pickard said in an emailed statement.
Rice was riding in the passenger seat of her friend’s white Ferrari, heading to run an errand, when Mosley crashed into them, Coleman said.
The driver and Mosley were both treated at the scene for injuries, but Rice was killed. Mosley was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide.
Coleman, who lives in Gwinnett County, was shocked to learn his sister had been killed in a wreck in southwest Atlanta. He didn’t know she was in town.
“That’s kind of her personality,” Coleman said. “She’s really thoughtful.”
But instead of a visit from his sister, Coleman is now helping his mother and two brothers with funeral arrangements. Rice’s son, A.J., remains in California with his grandparents, Coleman said. Rice’s ex-husband, A.J.’s father, was killed in recent years after serving prison time for attacking Rice.
Mosley, who waived his first court appearance Tuesday, was also charged with theft by taking, marijuana possession and reckless driving. He was also charged with having an expired license and an obstructed driver’s view. Mosley’s next court date is scheduled for June 13.
Garrett Ingram, Mosley’s father, said he was disappointed he didn’t get to see his son.
“I just want to know is he OK,” Ingram said. “I don’t know what to say or what to do.”
Coleman said it’s hard to understand how and why the crash happened, claiming his sister’s life. Both families and countless friends are now grieving, he said.
“So many lives are ruined because of this,” he said.
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