Family mourns mother of 2 killed in hit-and-run by suspected teen DUI driver

ASH FORK, Ariz. (KTVK/KPHO/Gray News) - Deputies in Arizona say a teenage girl suspected of driving under the influence was arrested on several charges in relation to a hit-and-run crash that killed a mother of two.

Erica Miller-Purser, 47, is being remembered as someone with a big heart who was always there for others, including her husband and their two teenage sons. Her family says her death in a hit-and-run has caused indescribable pain and anger, AZ Family reports.

“She did die on scene in my cousin’s arms, and that’s something he’s going to have to live with for the rest of his life. That trauma is never going to go away,” said Sariah, the victim’s niece.

Sariah is at a loss for words after she says her aunt was killed in a hit-and-run involving a suspected drunken driver. Yavapai County Sheriff’s deputies say a 16-year-old girl was behind the wheel.

“It’s not something you just put a Band-Aid over and say, ‘Oops, it happened.’ It’s reality. She took a life,” Sariah said.

The crash happened around 3 a.m. Saturday. Family says Miller-Purser was leaving Oasis Lounge in Ash Fork, Arizona, with her 15-year-old son at the time. He was there playing pool with his friends.

“There’s no bringing her back. She was out being a mom and being supportive of her son, and her life got taken for that,” Sariah said.

Deputies say when they arrived on scene, they found Miller-Purser seriously hurt and struggling to breathe. While first responders were performing life-saving measures, the sheriff’s office got a call from a 16-year-old girl’s mother, who shared that her daughter was involved in a collision that left significant damage to her car.

“I know with how much anger my family currently has, I know in their hearts they’re grateful that mother made that phone call because at least we can say we know who did it, that they’re in custody,” Sariah said.

Authorities arrested the teenage girl on a slew of charges, including negligent homicide, manslaughter, leaving the scene of an injury accident and underage driving under the influence.

“There’s no time limit that’s going to be able to allow us to process this because it’s going to be the ever-ending question of why didn’t she stop,” Sariah said.

Miller-Purser’s sudden loss leaves behind a hole in the hearts of everyone close to her.

“You go from talking to somebody every day and them being that support in your life to all of a sudden having that phone call that they’re gone,” Sariah said.

She says she hopes her aunt’s story reminds others of the dangers of drunken driving. Loved ones set up a GoFundMe to help the family during this time.