These are photos of events which were held in our community to commemorate Emma Marie Jordan, a fourth-grader at Veterans Memorial Elementary School, who died in a car crash in January 2024.
A gofundme to help with her funeral expenses raised about $17,000.
“This is the most heartbreaking thing I have ever had to write. On Sunday January 14th my daughter Emma Marie Jordan died in a tragic car accident. She was 11 years old,” the gofundme indicated last year.
Monday in court, her uncle Noah Tanner, who previously had two DUI arrests, was sentenced to 90 days in jail, after he pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter.
Jordan who was not in a seatbelt in the back center of the car which did not have one anymore was thrown from the SUV he was driving while going over the speed limit on Leadership Parkway.
Tanner lost control and hit a curb, flipping over the vehicle. Tanner’s two children also in the back were secured in car seats and survived.
The DA’s office sent this statement to media as Yvonne Garland, Emma’s mother, expressed disgust and anger at the process:
“The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office is deeply saddened by this case, and our hearts go out to Emma’s family. We have shared these sentiments with them during multiple meetings. Unfortunately, as we explained to Emma’s family, the evidence gathered during the investigation did not support a felony prosecution under existing law - a conclusion also reached by the investigating law enforcement agency. As a result, the case was appropriately referred to the Reno City Attorney’s Office for prosecution.”
A petition has been started to “Rename Leadership Parkway to Emma Marie Way and Implement Road Safety Measures” with nearly 1,500 signatures already.
“We are calling for the renaming of Leadership Parkway to Emma Marie Way, in honor of young Emma Marie who tragically lost her life on this road due to a speeding driver. At just 11 years old, Emma was a beacon of light in our community and touched countless lives. By renaming the street, we aim not only to commemorate her life but also raise awareness about road safety. Additionally, we urge local authorities in Reno, NV, USA to implement more stringent safety measures on this road such as speed humps or flashing speed signs. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speed-related crashes cost Americans $40.4 billion per year. It is evident that reckless driving is not only a local issue but also a national concern that needs immediate attention. Let's honor Emma's memory by making our streets safer for everyone. Please sign this petition today,” it indicates.