Family and friends of Shalenia Smith gathered Monday at a makeshift shrine on north Tryon Street to remember a life cut short.

Smith, a 20-year-old student at Central Piedmont Community College, was struck by a car Friday while attempting to cross from a Walmart store on the west side of the street to a motel on the east side. She died Sunday.

Smith's mother, Karen Owens, described her daughter as “a very smart, intelligent girl” who often made the honor role in school. She was a 2009 graduate of E.E. Waddell High School and wanted to be a pediatrician.

Owens said her daughter was visiting a friend at In-Town Suites, an exteded-stay motel on north Tryon. The two decided to visit Walmart across the street and were returning to the motel just before midnight when the accident occurred.

The driver of the car, Christopher R. Breeding (photo insert), 28, was arrested and charged with driving while impaired.

Breeding told police that Smith ran in front of his car before he could stop. He said he did not see the women because they were wearing dark clothing.

Max Taylor III, 45, a security guard at the motel, said he was on duty Friday when he heard a collision and immediately called 911.

“I knew somebody was hurt, whether it was someone in a car or a pedestrian,” he said.

Taylor said he rushed to the accident scene and, following the instructions of an EMS dispatcher, began to do what he could to assist Smith. He sat with her until help arrived.

“I have a daughter that is her age,” he said. “I felt, there but for the grace of God, it could have been my child.”

Taylor met Smith’s family for the first time at Monday’s vigil. He was asked if he wanted to speak.

He said he looked into the crown and saw young faces filled with tears and despair. He felt it was a “teaching moment.”

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“You can honor Shalenia’s memory by what you do with your lives from this point on,” he told the gathering. “In this group there may be politicians who design legislation against drunk driving, there are some police officers who may arrest people who drive drunk, there may be lawyers who can prosecute people who break the law, or emergency medical technicians who can help another child who is in trouble.”

Owens said she and her three remaining children – ages 21, 14, and 12 -- have been left devastated by Smith’s death. Her oldest child was scheduled to fly in Monday night from Korea, where she serves in the U.S. Army.

“This is a great tragedy for us,” Owens said after the memorial. “Drunk drivers are out there, and life is so short. We have to make the most of it.”

Smith’s funeral is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 23, at 1 p.m. at Sherman Memorial Church of God in Christ. Visitation begins at noon.

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