Mom, Toddler Killed In Bayshore Crash Year Ago To Be Remembered

TAMPA, FL -- Members of Keep Bayshore Beautiful along with family and friends will host a candlelight vigil Thursday night on the one-year-anniversary of the deaths of Jessica and Lillia Raubenolt.

On May 23, 2018, 24-year-old Jessica Raubenolt was pushing her 21-month-old daughter, Lillia, in a stroller across Bayshore Boulevard when they were struck by a speeding car. Jessica Raubenolt did shortly after at Tampa General Hospital. Her daughter joined her a day later.

Cameron Herrin, 18, and his friend, John Barrineau, 17, had graduated from Tampa Catholic HIgh School two days before when they decided to race one another down Bayshore Boulevard. Herrin reportedly was going 102 mph when he struck the mother and daughter.

Since then, member of Keep Bayshore Beautiful, including Raubenolt's uncle, John Reisinger, have been holding vigils at the crash site.

They also created a permanent memorial of potted flowers at the crash site but it was removed by city of Tampa workers who said it was a traffic impediment.

Though most of the members of the neighborhood association never met the mother and child, the little girl and her mother have come to symbolize their campaign for increased safety and security in their neighborhood, said member Zhenya Nichols.

Some of those demands to increase safety along the scenic roadway that's a favorite route for joggers, bicyclists and pedestrians have been met. The speed limit was lowered from 40 to 35 mph. New crosswalks and flashing beacons were installed and the pavement was re-striped to narrow the driving lanes.

In the meantime, pretrial hearings for the two teens charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, street racing and reckless driving in the deaths of the mother and child took place Wednesday. Both waived their right to appear before the judge.

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