Parents remember daughter killed in Palmetto crash by suspected drunken driver

It’s been just a few weeks since Doug and Kim Marler lost their daughter, Ally, to a crash involving a suspected drunk driver.

The Marlers are still grieving, while struggling with the knowledge the man who struck the motorcycle Ally was riding was a former Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputy.

On May 6, 20-year-old Alexandria Marler — or “Ally” as she is known to many — was riding on the back of a motorcycle when she and a friend were hit by an SUV. Investigators say now-former Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputy Timothy Vaughn was behind the wheel of the SUV, and drunk at the time of the crash.

The crash would eventually take Ally’s life.

“I still remember thinking in the OR waiting room, ‘I hope I don’t see this doctor for 5 or 6 hours,’” said Doug Marler. “‘I just hope that he doesn’t come,’ but he did.”

According to the Marlers, Ally loved horses and adventures, but loved nothing more than her 2-year-old daughter, Leigha.

“Everytime she walked through the door, and if Leigha was here waiting for her, or if they were together, It was just this bubbly joy of happiness,” said Kim Marler. “They were both smiling and laughing with each other.”

As the Marlers now watch over Leigha, they are still at a loss as to how to talk about the man accused of taking Ally’s life.

“(Deputies are) out there to protect us,” said Kim, “and that’s the last person that you think that you have to warn your kids about.”

Leigha will only learn of her mother through pictures, stories, and a letter Ally wrote for Leigha to read when she turns 16.

The Marlers have started a GoFundMe page to raise money for Leigha as she grows older. To make a donation, visit gofundme.com/cowgirlup.

This story was originally published June 1, 2016 at 9:05 AM with the headline "Parents remember daughter killed in Palmetto crash by suspected drunken driver."