THOMASVILLE, GA (WALB) - The Bradshaw family is in mourning, along with a family friend who said the woman taught her son.
Loved ones describe Yolanda Bradshaw as a caring and respectful woman.
"Kids love her, people loved her, she touched a lot of lives," said Christi Bryant.
That fact left Christi Bryant, a family friend, wondering why such a tragedy would happen.
"When I heard the news, I immediately had questions. Where did this take place, why did this happen, did she know this person," said Bryant.
Thomasville Police said Bradshaw was waiting on her son Willie to pick her up from Southern Pine Senior Living Community Friday night.
Officers said Lavontay Terrell Jones approached Willie on Covington Avenue.
"'The son gets in an altercation with the suspect to prevent him from stealing the vehicle. Then she comes out and sees what's going on," said Major Wade Glover. "During that altercation, the suspect is able to get away and jump in the vehicle and attempt to flee before the police get there, and he runs over the female victim."
"She was at work, and the place that she worked at you wouldn't think anything like that would happen," said Bryant.
Bryant said she isn't the only one hurting after what happened.
She said Bradshaw was well known in the community.
"Not only is her family grieving, but the whole city of Thomasville is grieving over this. It's very devastating," said Bryant
But she can't help but hope for better days.
"Maybe just maybe this touched a lot of people to make them want to change, to make them want better, to make them want to do better," she said.
Jones is in jail with no bond set pending his arraignment.
Bradshaw's son Willie was treated at the hospital for minor injuries.
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