On December 24, 2025, Athens, Georgia, was confronted with the devastating loss of 25‑year‑old Sara Alexis Waldroup, who died from injuries sustained in a catastrophic wrong‑way collision on the Georgia 10 Inner Loop.
Known to family and friends as Lexi, she had been seated in the front passenger position of a 2017 Toyota Corolla operated by her husband, 25‑year‑old Soonhoon Choi, when their vehicle was struck head‑on by a 2021 Kia Seltos traveling against traffic. The Kia, driven by 26‑year‑old Desiree Jaclyn Browning of Lawrenceville, had already collided with a Mercedes‑Benz and a Ford Expedition before crashing into the Corolla, igniting a multi‑vehicle fire near the Oglethorpe Avenue interchange.
Choi was killed instantly, while Waldroup—pregnant at fifteen weeks—was transported in critical condition to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center. Despite aggressive medical intervention, including placement in a medically induced coma, both she and her unborn child died on Christmas Eve, transforming a season of celebration into one of profound grief.
Waldroup’s roots were firmly planted in Athens, where she completed her education at East Jackson High School and cultivated friendships that endured into adulthood. Her relationship with Choi spanned four years, culminating in marriage documents signed earlier in 2025 and a formal wedding ceremony in June. Together, they had begun building a life characterized by mutual affection, shared aspirations, and steadfast support.
Choi, an international student at Georgia State University pursuing citizenship, brought energy and devotion to their partnership. Waldroup’s gentle temperament and empathetic nature were evident in her roles as wife and expectant mother, qualities that drew admiration from relatives and peers alike.
The collision occurred shortly after midnight on December 21, when law enforcement received reports of a vehicle traveling the wrong way on the Inner Loop’s eastbound lanes. The Kia struck multiple vehicles in succession, at one point becoming airborne before igniting after the final impact. Browning was pronounced dead at the scene, her passenger critically injured, while occupants of other vehicles sustained non‑life‑threatening injuries.
Following the accident, relatives established a GoFundMe campaign initially intended to support Waldroup’s medical recovery, later redirected toward funeral and burial expenses. Her stepfather, Aaron Bedgood, shared updates that charted the family’s transition from cautious hope to devastating loss, underscoring Waldroup’s courage and love during her final struggle. The couple’s story has prompted reflection throughout Athens, a city where academic life, historical heritage, and family traditions converge, now confronted with the fragility of human existence.
This multi‑vehicle disaster underscores the dangers of wrong‑way driving, particularly on heavily trafficked perimeter highways during nighttime hours when visibility is diminished. Investigators continue to examine contributing factors, while officials urge motorists to exercise heightened vigilance. For Waldroup’s loved ones, the holiday season has become inseparable from remembrance, as they cling to the warmth she brought into their lives and the legacy of kindness she embodied.