Young Apple Valley Mother Killed in Crash, Family Mourns Loss of Third Child

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APPLE VALLEY, Ca. – A family who felt the world was torn out from

beneath their feet through the unexpected losses of a young family members is left to pick up the pieces once again.

The story was told in a post written by Justice Kelly, the second born of five Kelley children. Justice wrote a post on Facebook to share her life experiences as far as the multiple losses and hardships over the last ten years. Justice said that their life has never been simple, their parents took care of them the best they knew how, but both struggled with addiction. Janelle Kelley the mother of the household, off and on worked on her addiction but the constant loss caused her to sway back into addiction.

On March 5, 2010, Steven Kelley was crossing the street late at night and was struck by a vehicle. The driver fled the scene of the traffic collision and Kelley was left in the roadway to be struck by at least one other vehicle. Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and determined that he was dead on arrival. The woman turned herself in the following day according to Justice. She said that the lady stated that she thought she has struck a dog and was not clear about what happened. “I was 16 at the time and left with three younger siblings,” said Justice. “My mom stayed as strong as she could, but I had to pick up a lot of pieces at a young age as the oldest daughter. My dad who already struggled with addiction, this pushed him over the edge. In and out of jail, and addiction, he tried his best.”

Things began to settle for the family after the loss of the eldest Kelley child until on January 30, 2015, when Aarym Kelley, 18, was crossing the crossing the street in Apple Valley on his mini motorcycle and was struck by a truck. Aarym was airlifted to a trauma center where he died as a result of his injuries. “We watched another brother and son die that day,” said Justice. “This took an even harder toll on our family. We couldn’t believe it happened again?” Soon after Janelle Kelley, their mother fell back into her addiction.

Years later Janelle found her way back to sobriety and continued to be a loving mother to her remaining children and her grandchildren; Justice’s children Alilah Aarym, 4, and Nixon Wayne, 1, Hailey’s 1-year-old son, Derrick, and the newest addition to the family, Aarym, who is in the NICU after being born to the youngest brother in the family. The family, with two major and sudden losses began to move forward with their lives yet again.

On January 12, 2020, Hailey Kelley, 21, of Apple Valley, left her home to deliver a pot of stew she made for her grandmother who was recently put on hospice. While on Bear Valley Road, west of Joshua Road in the Town of Apple Valley her vehicle lost control into the westbound Bear Valley Road into the path of a Dodge truck. Emergency medical personnel arrived to find Hailey Kelley deceased as a result of the collision. “She leaves behind a beautiful 1-year-old baby boy and a heart broken family,” added Justice. “We keep asking why. Why does something like this happen to one family more than once.. Our birthday is May 21, the same exact day. My birthday will never be the same again.”

A Go Fund Me memorial account has been started by Hailey’s cousin, Tanya Springer. The funds will be going to cover the funeral costs for Hailey and

then any remaining funds will go to her 1-year-old son, Derrick. Four days after her tragic death, her grandmother, Ellie Fillipi, 89, also passed away. “If I take anything from this, love your siblings,” said Justice Kelley. “Call them!! Hug your mom, and dad and love those friends that you call family. Don’t ever leave without saying “ I love you” Kiss and hug and tell people how much they mean to you. Because tomorrow is not promised.”