Jaelanni Baity, Nyree Jones Obituary – Two families in Temple are grieving the loss of 15-year-old Jaelanni Baity and 14-year-old Nyree Jones, who were tragically killed by a motorcycle early on Sunday, May 26. The accident occurred around 12:30 a.m. at the intersection of West Adams Avenue and Westfield Boulevard. Upon arriving, officers found that a motorcycle had struck both teenagers. They were declared dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Coleman, who also ordered autopsies. Nicole Baity and Genae Jones, the mothers of the victims, recounted the events leading up to the incident to 6 News.
Baity described how they had all been together earlier that evening, and later, the children decided to stay at her house. Jones added that the teens wanted to get snacks and were accompanied by three people over the age of 18. Jaelanni’s older brother, Javion Campbell, said he walked with the group to the store, keeping Jaelanni and Nyree in front of him for safety.
“I looked down for my flashlight,” Campbell recalled, “but by the time I looked up, the motorcycle had already hit them.” Baity and Jones were nearby at Jones’s apartment when they heard the accident. They heard the group of friends scream in horror. “I heard them screaming,” Baity said. “It was an awful scream like something terrible happened. I listened for the sirens, and when they stopped outside, I knew something was wrong. I tried to call my son, but he didn’t answer. Then I called Genae, who told me, ‘The girls got hit.’”
Baity rushed to the scene.
“I already knew she was gone because nobody was working on her body,” Jones said. Jones described a poignant moment when she found Nyree’s Cash App card near her feet, interpreting it as a sign from her daughter that she was okay.
Family and friends noted the close bond between Jones and Baity. The two girls, despite their strong personalities and differences, had become like sisters since meeting earlier in the year. The motorcyclist involved, an 18-year-old, was taken to a local hospital where he remains in stable condition. Despite the initial anger, Jones expressed compassion for the young motorcyclist and his family.
Belton ISD confirmed that the victims were students at North Belton Middle School. The school principal offered condolences, and the district is providing counselors for classmates.
In memory of the girls, both families set up a memorial at the crash site and planned a balloon release for Thursday, May 30. Additionally, a GoFundMe page was created to help with funeral expenses.
