Trinette Porter couldn’t hold back her tears as she recounted the heart-wrenching events leading up to the untimely and avoidable passing of 52-year-old Craig Boone, fondly referred to as Bread, on Sunday.
According to Virginia State Police, while Boone was working as a VDOT safety service patroller, helping a driver on I-64 in Hampton, he was tragically killed by another driver who ran off the road. The incident is truly heart-wrenching.
Porter, a graduate of Manor High School in Portsmouth, expressed her sorrow for the loss of a loved one, stating, “I just feel like an angel, just someone put here for everyone else. He’s gone and I think it’s so unfair that someone took his life away.”
According to Boone’s former classmates, he had a passion for producing beats for local rap music. Dionne Copeland, who was a member of the Manor band at the time, remembers Boone, who was also known as Bread, singing and rapping in class alongside Missy. Copeland fondly recalls those moments of musical creativity.
You may recognize the name, Missy, as it belongs to the iconic rapper and producer Missy Elliott.
During a heartfelt interview near Manor High School, Copeland shared that she took it upon herself to inform the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer about the tragic news of the passing of a beloved figure in Hampton Roads. The suspected drunk driver responsible for the death has left the community mourning and devastated.
During a heartfelt interview, Rosetta Boone expressed her deep love for the victim, who she referred to as both her best friend and beloved brother. Boone tearfully shared how he would always be there for her and would go above and beyond to fulfill her needs. Surrounded by loved ones, Boone struggled to comprehend why he was no longer with them.
Early Sunday morning, while assisting a driver on Interstate 64 in Hampton, Boone faced an unfortunate accident. Alana Diomande, aged 27 and from Yorktown, reportedly veered off the road and collided with Boone’s VDOT truck, causing his untimely death.
Boone had a part-time job at VDOT, but his true passion was his barbershop, Heads, located in Chesapeake. According to those close to him, he had a big heart and would often give free haircuts to the homeless and provide back-to-school haircuts for kids in his community.
As they mourned their loss and sought accountability, Boone’s relatives came together with a shared message about the dangers of driving under the influence. Their grief was palpable, but their resolve to prevent similar tragedies was unwavering.
As you consider getting behind the wheel after drinking, it’s important to remember the real impact it can have. Taking someone’s life in a single moment of poor judgment can devastate their loved ones forever. It’s a tragedy that cannot be undone, and it’s not worth risking the lives of others for the sake of a temporary thrill. So before you make that decision, think hard about the consequences and the lives that could be forever changed by your actions.
According to authorities, Diomande was taken away from the location for blood withdrawal as she refused to cooperate on the spot. She has been arrested and is now facing charges of driving under the influence, involuntary manslaughter, obstruction, using abusive language, and failure to comply with a highway marking.
VDOT spokesperson Nina Ullrich expressed her condolences and also issued a warning to individuals who choose to drive under the influence of alcohol.
VDOT expresses its deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of Mr. Boone. Though he was an AECOM employee, his role as a member of the Safety Service Patrol team was crucial to VDOT’s mission of ensuring safe and efficient roadways for all. The loss of such a valued team member has affected us deeply, and we mourn his passing. In honor of Mr. Boone, we must emphasize the importance of driving with caution and care on our roads, particularly when first responders and Safety Service Patrol members are working tirelessly to assist others.
The suspect will be kept in custody without bail as the case progresses through the criminal justice system, as ordered by a Hampton General District Court Judge on Tuesday. According to court documents, the suspect’s blood alcohol level was found to be 0.133 percent, which exceeds the legal limit of 0.08 percent in Virginia.
According to court records, it has been disclosed that the accused individual hails from New Jersey. She has been residing in the area for a period of three years, is gainfully employed, and has completed some coursework at a college. The upcoming court appearance for the suspect is scheduled for October 24th.
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