‘I don’t have no holidays no more’: Mother mourns daughter hit and killed on Hudson Avenue

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — We now know the name of the 27-year-old woman who was hit and killed Monday afternoon near the intersection of Hudson Avenue and Wilkins Street.

She’s been identified as Khadijah Stanley. News10NBC was in court Tuesday morning where the man accused of hitting her, 51-year-old Lonnie Gandues was arraigned.

Khadijah’s mother, Rosalee, was in tears during the arraignment that lasted just a few minutes. She just can’t believe that her only daughter’s life ended this way.

Debris left behind by an SUV that jumped the sidewalk Monday afternoon, hitting Khadijah, still litters the street. Police say Gandues was behind the wheel, driving while intoxicated. Khadijah died after being taken to strong memorial hospital.

"She was going, just minding her business, and this man did this to me. He took my daughter," Rosalee said.

Rosalee held on to a photo of Khadijah. She says her daughter was out running an errand.

"She had just left my house, and went to the store for her grandma, and went to get her something to eat," Rosalee said.

Rochester Police say Gandues failed a field sobriety test. He was treated for minor injuries. The Rochester City School District has confirmed that Gandues is a long time district employee, but was not on school district business. His bail was set at low as $60,000 cash, up to $100,000 surety bond. Rosalee says she was angered that the father of two was given that opportunity to get out of jail.

"Because he got children he got to take care of. He took my baby from me," Rosalee said. "He did all this because of drunk driving. My daughter didn’t deserve this."

Rosalee described her daughter as the life of the party that was good at bringing family, and friends together. Now all of that is gone.

"The feelings that I feel, I wouldn’t wish this on nobody. I don’t have no holidays no more. No more Christmas for me. Last year my brother died, Jan. 2. So no more New Year’s for me either," Rosalee said.

Besides DWI, Gandues was also charged with vehicular manslaughter. According to court papers, he was convicted back in July 2019 after pleading guilty to a charge of driving while ability impaired by the consumption of alcohol. He’s due back in court Dec. 23 for a preliminary hearing.