Green Country Family Gather To Remember Father, Son Lost In DUI Crash

Emily Baucum, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- A Green Country family gathered Monday to remember the victims of a drunk driving accident.

Eric Watkins and his seven-month-old son Bryor died when they were hit head-on back in June.

"This is where I come to see my son and my grandson," said Joey Watkins.

Joey Watkins is marking Bryor's first birthday with balloons and toys.

"I got a couple of hot wheels they can eventually share together so they can play in the mud," Joey Watkins said.

The biggest gift is a promise: that the little boy and the father who loved him will never be forgotten.

"We have to come to a gravesite to celebrate my son's first birthday and that's not right," said Ginger Watkins.

Ginger Watkins was in the car with her husband and son when they died - but four months later, still doesn't remember the crash.

"I carried my son for nine months. I didn't even get to spend that much time with him alive. He was taken away from me before he was even ninth months old," she said.

As the cemetery trees show signs of fall. Each season without them brings happy, yet painful, memories of the father and son.

"I think of them last year, last December, playing in the snow," Joey said.

"A year ago today, right now at this time I would be on my way to the hospital," Ginger said.

On the headstone, two hearts for Eric and Ginger intertwined with Bryor's heart - a symbol that someday, their family will reunite.

"I love them. That's all that matters," Ginger said.

Keaton Hannah, the teenager suspected of driving drunk, was charged with two counts of manslaughter over the summer. He pled not guilty.

The Watkins family will be in the Rogers County courtroom for his preliminary hearing in two weeks.

6/17/2011 Related Story: Claremore Teen Arrested After Suspected DUI Crash Kills Man, Baby