Man charged with drink-driving in crash that left Beaumont’s newlyweds out on bail amid outrage from their family

BANNING, Calif. (KABC) — Adam and Carlie Whitlatch shared a love story that began when the two were just 11 and 12-year-old middle school students in Beaumont.

The couple had been married for exactly 13 days when the future they had planned together came to a tragic end.

“He literally took everything from me,” her grieving husband said. “I planned to grow old with her, I planned to have children with her… I planned to buy a house.”

Last Friday, the 23-year-old newlywed was on her way home from work when investigators said she was killed by a drunk driver.

“He hit her from behind at about 90 mph as she sat at a stop sign,” said her mother, Buenita Shoemaker.

According to the California Highway Patrol, a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department officer attempted to stop a driver who was going the wrong way on Seminole Drive near the Cabazon Outlets. But instead of stopping, the driver is said to have driven off, which led to a high-speed chase.

The driver, identified as 48-year-old Jason McQueary, crashed into the victim’s Nissan.

“The moment he got behind the wheel, he made the conscious decision to take my daughter’s life,” Shoemaker said.

McQueary was treated in hospital for minor injuries. He was arrested while drunk and charged with involuntary manslaughter, but to the family’s outrage, he was able to post bail the next day.

McQueary’s court date is scheduled for January 2nd.

“He gets to be home for the holidays and celebrate with his family and friends while I get to bury my wife,” Adam said.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with funeral costs.

Just two weeks ago, family and friends gathered to celebrate the couple’s wedding. Now they will come together to mourn.

“She had the most beautiful blue eyes, a huge smile and the biggest heart,” Carlie’s mother said.

With his wife’s wedding ring on a chain around his neck, Adam prepares for a future without the love of his life by his side.

“Seeing her happy is everything I wanted and still want. I just hope that whatever I do in my life now, I make them proud,” he said.