The deaths of Lexi Waldroup Choi, her unborn child, and her husband, Soonhoon Choi, have cast a somber shadow over the Athens, Georgia community following a devastating wrong-way crash that unfolded just days before Christmas. The tragedy, which began in the early hours of Dec. 21, ended with the loss of three lives and left several others injured, prompting renewed attention to the dangers of wrong-way driving and the lasting impact such incidents have on families and communities. Authorities have continued to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision, while loved ones and strangers alike have expressed grief and support for the families affected.
Lexi Waldroup Choi, 25, was 15 weeks pregnant at the time of the crash. She survived the initial collision but remained critically injured in intensive care for three days, fighting for her own life and that of her unborn child. On Christmas Eve, authorities confirmed that she and the fetus had died from their injuries. Her husband, Soonhoon Choi, also 25, was killed instantly at the scene. Together, the couple’s deaths marked the culmination of a sequence of events that authorities described as sudden, violent, and catastrophic.
Details of the Wrong-Way Crash in Athens
According to the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, the crash occurred shortly after midnight on Sunday, Dec. 21, along the GA 10 Inner Loop near Chase Street and Oglethorpe Avenue. Police said they first received a report of a wrong-way driver traveling along the Inner Loop at approximately 12:08 a.m. local time. Moments later, a second call reported a major collision in the same area.
Preliminary findings indicate that Desiree Browning, 26, was driving a 2021 Kia Seltos in the wrong direction on the Inner Loop. At the same time, other vehicles, including a 2021 Mercedes-Benz and a 2020 Ford Expedition, were traveling correctly along the roadway. Investigators said the Kia initially struck the Mercedes-Benz, then collided with the Ford Expedition, before continuing in the wrong direction.
The sequence ended when the Kia struck a 2017 Toyota Camry head-on. The Camry was being driven by Soonhoon Choi, with Lexi Waldroup Choi seated in the front passenger seat. Police said the force of the impact caused the Kia to come to rest on cable barriers, where it became engulfed in flames. Both vehicles sustained catastrophic damage.
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Soonhoon Choi died at the scene from his injuries. Lexi Waldroup Choi was transported to a hospital in critical condition, where doctors worked to stabilize her and monitor her pregnancy. Browning, the driver of the Kia, also died at the scene. A passenger in Browning’s vehicle was taken to a hospital in critical condition, while occupants of the Mercedes-Benz and Ford Expedition were treated for injuries described by police as non-life-threatening.
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Authorities have stated that the investigation remains ongoing, even after the deaths of all primary drivers involved. Police have not yet released additional details regarding contributing factors such as speed, impairment, or roadway conditions, noting that a full reconstruction and review are required before final conclusions can be made.
The Final Days and Passing of Lexi Waldroup Choi
In the days following the crash, family members, friends, and members of the wider community held onto hope as Lexi Waldroup Choi remained hospitalized in intensive care. An online fundraiser was launched to assist with medical costs and to support her recovery, with updates describing her condition as critical but underscored by determination and resilience. Aaron Bedgood Jr., who organized the GoFundMe campaign, wrote that Lexi was “fighting for her life — and for the life of her unborn baby.”
The updates reflected a period marked by prayer, uncertainty, and an outpouring of support from people near and far. Messages of encouragement, donations, and shared stories poured in as the family waited for signs of improvement. On Wednesday, Dec. 24, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department confirmed that Lexi Waldroup Choi and her unborn child had died from their injuries, three days after the crash. Bedgood shared the news publicly, describing her fight as courageous and unwavering.
He wrote that what had begun as hope and prayer had ended in profound heartbreak, capturing the emotional toll of the loss on those who had followed her condition closely. Her death transformed the fundraiser’s purpose. Initially intended to support medical treatment and recovery, the campaign was redirected to help cover funeral and medical expenses for the family.
By Dec. 25, the campaign had raised nearly $30,000, reflecting both the scale of the tragedy and the widespread response from the community. Authorities noted that Lexi’s passing marked the final fatality connected to the crash, bringing the total number of lives lost to three, including her unborn child. Police reiterated that the investigation would continue, emphasizing the importance of fully understanding the events that led to the collision.
Remembering Lexi Waldroup Choi and Soonhoon Choi
In the wake of the tragedy, an obituary honoring both Lexi Waldroup Choi and Soonhoon Choi described the couple as “two souls bound by love, devotion, and an unbreakable bond.” The tribute emphasized the depth of their relationship and the sense of loss felt by those who knew them. Though their lives were taken suddenly and far too soon, the obituary noted that the love they shared and the light they brought into the lives of others would endure. Soonhoon Choi was remembered as a gentle and devoted husband, a loving son, and a source of warmth for his family.
According to the obituary, he deeply loved Lexi and envisioned a future shaped by kindness, hope, and generosity. Friends and relatives described him as someone whose quiet nature and caring spirit left a lasting impression. Lexi Waldroup Choi was remembered as strong, compassionate, and fiercely loving. The tribute highlighted her resilience, courage, and deep care for those around her. It noted that she fought with remarkable strength until the very end, embodying determination and love beyond measure. Her pregnancy, described by loved ones as a source of joy and anticipation, made the loss even more profound for the family.
The couple, both residents of Athens, are survived by their parents and extended family members. Messages of condolence have continued to circulate, with many expressing sorrow not only for the loss of the young couple but also for the future they were building together. Community members, some of whom did not know the couple personally, have described feeling deeply affected by the circumstances of the crash and its timing so close to the holidays.
As the investigation proceeds, the tragedy has also prompted renewed discussions about roadway safety and the devastating consequences of wrong-way driving. While authorities have not yet released final findings, the incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly lives can be altered by a single moment on the road. For the families of Lexi Waldroup Choi and Soonhoon Choi, the focus remains on honoring their memories and navigating an immeasurable loss that unfolded in the span of just a few days.
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