Two young people, both of them from northwest Baltimore County, lost their lives within days of each other to tragic accidents while enjoying time with friends.
Twelve-year-old Justin Nicholas Diggs of Pikesville was fatally injured on July 8 when a tree fell on him during a sudden storm while camping at River Valley Ranch in Carroll County. Two days earlier, Janelle Oni, a 21-year-old from Randallstown, was killed July 6 in a hit-and-run accident in College Park. Both had homegoing services on July 15—Janelle’s at Wylie Funeral Home in Randallstown and Justin’s at New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Justin’s mother, Antoinette Benns, described her only child as an honor student at Pikesville Middle School who had earned several awards for being kind and helpful. He enjoyed swimming, playing basketball and participating in outdoor extreme activities such as zip-lining and bunjee jumping. “Justin was a HAPPY, upbeat, very loving young man with a very BIG heart. He would be a friend to anyone…. He brought joy to his mother and grandmother and all who were lucky enough to know him.”
River Valley has set up a fund for the mother and says is turning over all monies received to her. You can donate to Justin’s Fund at rivervalleyranch.com/justinsfund.
Janelle’s accident was just as tragic. Described as bubbly and fun loving, she had gone out to dinner with friends near University of Maryland’s College Park campus on July 6 and was hit by a drunken driver’s minivan while crossing Route 1. An only child, she would have celebrated her 22nd birthday on July 11 and was set to start graduate school in the fall. Janelle attended Randallstown High and had graduated from Salisbury University in May with a double major in conflict analysis and dispute resolution and communication arts. She was a member and former president of the school’s Untouchables Dance team and had started a campus ministry there for women.
Thoughts and prayers go to the families of Justin and Janelle.