Remembering Phoenix: A grieving family speaks
More than a week after their daughter was killed in what police call a drunk-driving crash, the grieving family of Redmond 7-year-old Phoenix Price is speaking out, saying the tragedy was no accident that killed a little girl so full of life.
“There’s a lot of anger,” said Phoenix’s father, Joshua Price. “We want justice for our daughter. People keep talking about it like it was an accident — an accident is something that can’t be prevented. He could have stopped himself.”
Price was speaking of William Fix, 32, the Redmond man charged with manslaughter, assault and DUII after police say on the evening of Friday, Sept. 26, he drove home drunk from a child’s birthday party, wrecked his SUV and killed his stepdaughter on Highway 97 south of Redmond.
Four other girls in the car were injured, two critically — although Monday afternoon, 10-year-old Olivia Jeanes was upgraded to serious condition at OHSU in Portland.
Fourteen-year-old Naomi Spanel remained in critical condition at Legacy Emmanuel Medical Center’s Randall Children’s Hospital, also in Portland.
Price said Fix robbed his daughter of a life that had just begun, of his opportunity to see her graduate from high school and to walk her down the aisle one day at her wedding.
All, Price said, because of”somebody who knew they were going to be transporting children in the car and still chose to drink.”
Throughout the Price home, there’s plenty of evidence Phoenix was well-loved: the proud picture on the mantel, a little squiggly signature on a last pretty picture hanging on a fridge, and dozens of flowers from a memorial attended by hundreds on Saturday.
“She lived every single one of those seven years to the fullest,” Price said. “All she was was love. She never hated on anyone, yelled at anyone, she was all about love.”
The family said that’s the single most important thing moving forward — remembering Phoenix just as they saw her last: the little girl who loved pink,high heels, Monster High dolls and laughing.
“I’m going to miss her beautiful hair, hearing her sing along with me,” said Phoenix’s stepmother, Carrie Shuping, wiping away the tears. “Just all the good times.”
Price said he takes comfort knowing they’ll all be together one day in heaven.
“She’s never going to be dead to us, because we’ll always have her in our hearts,” Price said. “She was so loved by us, and everyone she ever knew.”
Fix made his second court appearance Monday by video hookup from jail for his arraignment on formal charges. He’s scheduled to return to enter a plea on November 20th at 1:30 p.m.
