Bradenton family 'devastated' over loss of 20-year-old daughter in crash
MANATEE -- The family of 20-year-old Alexandria "Ally" Marler is devastated over her death May 6 at the hands of what the Florida Highway Patrol says was a drunken driver.
Scott Hamilton, the family's Bradenton attorney, said the family is working through "all of the emotional details of this tragedy. They are devastated but trying to work through an emotional and spiritual process over something that should have never happened, but it did."
The parents of Marler, Kim and Doug, issued a statement Wednesday.
"The loss of Ally's life did not need to happen," reads the statement. "But it will not be senseless. The Marler family and those that loved Ally are committed to ensuring her legacy is one where fewer families and friends have to experience the hurt that comes from drunk driving."
The family said Marler was her typical happy self on the day of her death, bounding through the day with her usual energy, courage and care of others.
"Ally had the spirit to live life fully and to bring all those around her: her daughter, her family and her many, many friends into a world where love is unconditional and life is experienced as a beautiful, rich adventure," the family said.
Marler was enjoying Friday night with friends, "but tragically never came home that Friday evening. All the goodness that Ally had brought into this world and the way she made others feel loved and safe wasn't enough to protect her."
Marler's parents said their daughter did nothing wrong and it was another person who made the choice to drive drunk and create the situation that took their daughter's life.
"The pain felt by our family and everyone her life touched resonates beyond words and no doubt will never be fully removed," they continued. "But as a Christian family we know she is in good hands with her Lord and Savior."
The Marlers expressed faith in those agencies handling the investigation and hope justice in their daughter's case ultimately shows the community this kind of situation is no way to lose a family member.
"We are humbled and grateful for how this community has opened its arms to us," said the parents. "Our love and amazement for Ally continues to grow as we learn how many people's lives she has touched. The incredible love for Ally has become a circle of support for our entire family. We want to continue to hear the stories that are pouring in about how Ally truly made a difference in people's lives and we want to do justice to her memory by making sure that the world knows about and is inspired by a life, far too short, but very well lived."
FHP reports Marler was a passenger on one of two motorcycles in Palmetto when Timothy Vaughan, a Pinellas County sheriff's deputy fired after the crash, drifted into Marler's motorcycle, forcing them to collide with the second motorcycle. Marler was thrown from the motorcycle and subsequently run over by Vaughan, who has been charged with DUI manslaughter and other related offenses. Marler was transported to Blake Medical Center where she died.
Hamilton said the family is finalizing Marler's funeral arrangements. Besides family and many friends, Marler leaves behind a 2-year-old daughter.
Mark Young, Herald urban affairs reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7041 or follow him on Twitter @urbanmark2014.
This story was originally published May 11, 2016 at 11:02 PM with the headline "Bradenton family 'devastated' over loss of 20-year-old daughter in crash ."