Neighbors unite to help children of accident victim

Neighbors and friends of Candice Baima are collecting funds for an account to benefit the two children she left behind when she died in a head-on collision Oct. 9 on state Route 302.

Baima’s son, John, was playing Xbox with his friend and neighbor, Christian Smith, when he learned about the accident.

“He got a message that his mom was in an accident,” said Christian’s mother, Kim Smith. “He drove to St. Anthony (Hospital), and they sent him to Mary Bridge (Children’s Hospital). He did not know his mom had passed. He found out when he got to Mary Bridge that he lost his mom.”

Pierce County prosecutors filed charges last week against Marvin Odell Moody, 62, whom witnesses said was all over the road prior to the collision at 144th Street and SR 302. Baima’s Ford Explorer was on the shoulder when Moody’s car hit her, investigators found. Moody has been charged with vehicular homicide.

The News Tribune reported last week that Moody told troopers he was on medication. Paramedics reported he appeared delusional and thought he was in Auburn. Troopers found 21 prescription pill bottles in his truck. Moody’s blood was drawn, but results were not available.

Baima’s 14-year-old daughter, Susie, was in the car with her when the crash occurred. Susie apparently saw her mom react to the car in front of her when it crossed the center line and tried to avoid it. She swerved far enough to get her daughter out of harm’s way but took the impact of the collision herself.

“Fortunately, Candice had pulled over far enough where Susie only got airbag damage,” Kim said. “She saved her daughter’s life.”

Candice, affectionately known as “Momma C” by her friends, had been working as a substitute bus driver for the Peninsula School District, and she had a dream of becoming a full-time driver. Her dream was realized just a few days before the accident.

“I worked with Candice,” Demaris Hendrix said. “She was a wonderful person, very caring. She always had a smile on her face and loved children.”

“She had been a substitute bus driver, and she had just gotten hired on full-time five days earlier,” Kim said. “The children were living with friends at the time of the accident. So, basically, now they don’t have a mother.”

Kim said John Baima is like a son to her.

“He sometimes spends all weekend at my house,” she said. “I’m doing this with the bus drivers, helping with the memorial, getting the food together. We can’t even imagine what these kids are going through.”

Candice’s partner, Tracy Langworthy, said the children are coping.

“We just take each day at a time,” she said.

A Chase Bank account has been set up for the children of Candice Baima, account number 325070760 985864750. Donations can be made directly at the Gig Harbor North branch, 5225 Borgen Blvd. NW.



Lifestyles Coordinator and reporter Susan Schell can be reached at 253-853-9240 or by email at susan.schell@gateline.com.