McConnell widows speak of relatives killed in St. Petersburg crash

McConnell widows speak of relatives killed in St. Petersburg crash
'These men were wonderful beautiful people.'

Anais McConnell, Amy McConnell and Sandie McConnell stand together Tuesday, August 3, in Amy's front yard. (RED HUBER, ORLANDO SENTINEL)

By Bianca Prieto, Susan Jacobson and Walter Pacheco, Orlando Sentinel

12:27 p.m. EDT, August 3, 2010

Lisa Raybern let out a loud sob that conveyed the heartbreak of a mother who has lost her children.

On Sunday a suspected drunken driver ran a red light in St. Petersburg and plowed into the car driven by her ex-husband, Elroy "Roy" McConnell, killing him and his three sons instantly.

"All these men were wonderful, beautiful people," Raybern said while holding her 4-month-old grandson, Elroy "Roy" McConnell IV.

Raybern was among a large group of friends and family, including the three widows and girlfriend of the dead men, who gathered at the McConnell family home in east Orange County this morning.

Roy McConnell, 51, sons Nathan, 24, and Kelly, 19, both of Orlando; and Elroy "Roy" McConnell III, 28, of Pineville, La., were killed after a speeding car crashed into their Ford Fusion while the McConnell clan was on a beach vacation on the Gulf Coast, police said.


Family members said they were grieving, but not vengeful, and that is the message they wanted to impart today.

"This drunk driver didn't just steal [Roy McConnell's] life from him, but from his friends and family," family member Rebecca Watson said in a tearful speech. "I hope and pray that the next time you go drinking and driving, you stop to think about this tragedy."
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