DETROIT – Carolyn Young's family knew something was wrong when she wasn't answering her cellphone Friday night.
They watched the news, heard about the crash and, when they saw the car, it became clear why their loving mother and wife didn't pick up.
Charles Blackwell can't seem to wrap his mind around the death of Carolyn Young.
"Twenty-four years of our life, it was us and the kids," Blackwell said.
Now, the family is ripped apart.
"I'm a mama and dad all at once," Blackwell said. "It's a hurting feeling."
Young died Friday night on the city's west side while driving her white Altima. Police said a black Challenger came speeding through a stop sign. The two cars collided and crashed into two houses off Curtis and Indiana streets. The driver took off running. That left neighbors to tend to Young.
"They tried to help her but they couldn't. They couldn't help her pinned in the car, but she couldn't get no help," Blackwell said.
Memories and pictures are all Brandy Blackwell has left of her loving mother.
"She was the backbone for me and for so many events I have coming up, like prom, graduation," she said.
The family can't understand why someone would go 80 mph down a street, much less leave a woman to die. They have a clear message for the man who caused all their pain.
"You took a loving person, a caring person. Turn yourself in. Do the right thing," Charles Blackwell said.
The family members know it won't remove the void in their heart, but getting the man off the streets will start the healing process.
"It would give me great joy knowing he took responsibility for his actions," Brandy Blackwell said.
But, unfortunately, the driver is still on the run. The family told Local 4 News police know who they're looking for, but they can't find him.