A Georgia realtor and mother of a 13-year-old boy lost her life last month after being struck by an alleged drunk driver just one mile from her home. Alicia Thomas, 43, was involved in a multi-vehicle collision at an intersection in Norcross, a suburb of Atlanta, on April 26.
Suspect Arrested and Charged
The Gwinnett County Police Department investigated the crash and arrested Rodrigo Antonio Rodriguez Flores, 27, on Tuesday, according to court records. Flores has been charged with homicide by vehicle in the first degree, reckless driving, driving under the influence, speeding, and driving with an open container. He faces a $9,600 bond and remains in custody. Jail records indicate that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is holding him, though it is unclear if Flores is undocumented.
Family Mourns the Loss
The crash has left Thomas' family in mourning, particularly her son Dillon, who is about to begin the 9th grade. A fundraiser for the family stated, 'Dillon is a bright 13-year-old who is about to begin the 9th grade. On April 26th, his world changed forever when his mother, Alicia Thomas, lost her life in a tragic car accident.' Thomas shared custody with her ex-husband, and her sudden passing has left Dillon facing a difficult transition as he prepares for high school.
Thomas was a real estate agent at Keller Williams Realty Atlanta, where she had worked for over nine years. She immigrated from South Korea with her family as an infant, and her father served in the United States Air Force. In addition to her son, she is survived by her fiancé, Gemoyne Lamond, and 'bonus sons' Dustin, Dane, and Dash, along with her father, Jeffrey.
Tributes and Remembrances
Her obituary described her as someone who 'didn't just exist in people's lives—she poured into them, lifted them, and left them better than she found them.' Her fiancé wrote a devastating tribute on Facebook, saying, 'I'm so torn and angry. You were light in its purest form, and that light will never fade.' On Mother's Day, he praised her for loving his children as her own and being a woman with a 'mother's heart.'
Friend Brenda Conley told local ABC affiliate WSB-TV that she and Thomas were together just 15 minutes before the crash. Conley empathized with Thomas' son, saying, 'He's 13 and he doesn't have his mom because somebody decided they were going to drink and drive.'
Flores was booked into the county jail on Wednesday morning. His case is pending in criminal court, and he has yet to retain an attorney or enter a plea for the charges against him.
