Nearly a week after a Valley mother died when a suspected drunk driver crashed into her and tried to leave the scene, her children are speaking out with a message for the suspect.
For Judi Kurtz, 56, life came to an end at the intersection of Ray and Price roads in Chandler Saturday.
Her three adult children celebrate the life she lived.
“She was very positive and upbeat and saw the best in everyone, and that’s what we’re trying to do with our lives," said Brandon Kurtz, Judi Kurtz' son.
Chandler police say 27-year-old Kinton Bruce was driving drunk when he ran two red lights before the crash.
Kurtz’s children want Bruce to know something.
“I’ve already forgiven that man," Brandon Kurtz said.
Bruce is being charged with reckless manslaughter, among other felonies. Police say Bruce’s blood alcohol content was more than three times the legal limit.
“I think it is natural and understandable for us to be angry," said Arianna Kurtz, Judi Kurt'z youngest daughter. "We are young, and we did get our mother taken from us by somebody’s stupidity, but being angry at him and all of that is not going to change anything and bring her back, so there’s no point in it.”
“She’d want us to forgive him. She’d want us to step into the light and make the world a better place,"said Mallory Kurtz, Judi Kurt'z daughter.
When Bruce ran from the scene, where two others were also injured, police say a witness caught him.
“We say thank you, because I know that guy (witness) ran a quarter mile down Ray Road to get this guy (Bruce),” Brandon Kurtz said.
For the Kurtz children, choosing compassion is about honoring their mother’s memory.
Her children will be burying their mother in New York where they have family. They've set up a donation page to help with funeral expenses: https://www.gofundme.com/judi-mcculler-kurtz-memorial-fund/
They say any leftover donations will go towards MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving).
