Family plans memorial for Snellville woman killed in Athens crash

Cox's mother, Dana Turk, told Channel 2 Action News that the two Snellville natives had been best friends for six years.

She said the girls had a strong faith, were planning on getting an apartment together and had a mission to help others.

“I just hope in their deaths people will realize where that spark came from. It was from God,” Turk said.

The family will hold a memorial Saturday at the softball fields at South Gwinnett High School, where Olivia played as a student. They hope people will come together and celebrate Olivia’s life.

According to information released by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, Cox and Smith were riding in a friend’s Nissan Sentra on Saturday afternoon when it drove off Loop 10 near the Milledge Avenue exit. The driver, 21-year-old Social Circle resident Madison Lind Wilhelm, overcorrected and it crossed the median into oncoming traffic and hit a Cadillac Deville.

Cox died at the scene, and Smith died at the hospital. The Cadillac’s driver, Wilhelm and three other passengers in the Altima were all taken to Athens Regional Medical Center. One passenger, 23-year-old Monroe resident Justin William Maddox, was originally listed in critical condition.

“I go from being numb to being just in pain,” Turk said.

She says every emotion has rocked her.

“God why? Why my baby, my only child? We were so close, so close,” Turk said. “I’ve had some anger, I've had some denial where I blocked it out overall I've had a peace I know that’s God."

Turk told Channel 2 Action News that she hopes daughter's death will wake others up, make them realize how precious life is and make changes in their lives.

“I got her for 22 years and it was a blessing,” Turk said about her daughter.  “When it's all over with I just want everybody to love on each other and be grateful."