PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. – Grief and love filled the air Saturday night as family and friends gathered at Woodmore Town Park for a candlelight vigil honoring Tara Gross, 50, and Dandra Byrd, 31, who were killed in a devastating seven-car crash on August 19.
Remembering Two Lives Cut Short
Mourners came together carrying flowers, candles, and wearing buttons adorned with the women’s photos. They leaned on one another for strength as they remembered two women described as radiant, generous, and deeply loved.
For Evelyn Blount, Gross’s mother, the pain is unimaginable. She tearfully described her daughter as not only her child, but also her “best friend.”
“It’s hard,” Blount said. “It’s really hard because I can’t get back another Tara. She all I had.”
Gross’s cousins shared similar sentiments, calling her “a good person,” “a light in everyone’s life,” and “a giver” who was always willing to help others.
A Family Bond Beyond Words
For Byrd’s loved ones, the vigil was equally emotional. One man described her as “a gift from God,” saying he loved her with his whole heart. The words resonated with many who nodded and held one another close as the candles flickered in the night.
Juneil Greenfield, Gross’s cousin, said she considered Tara more like a sister than a cousin.
“We have to lay the most wonderful person to rest that meant so much to so many of us and affect so many lives,” said Sharron Greenfield, another cousin.
The vigil became a space not only for mourning but also for celebrating the lives of two women who left a lasting mark on their families and community.
The Tragic Crash
According to Maryland State Police, the fatal accident unfolded on Landover Road (Route 202) and St. Joseph Drive, just up the street from Woodmore Towne Center. Investigators say 28-year-old Tierra Johnson was driving a Honda Accord at a high rate of speed when she lost control.
Her vehicle struck a curb, collided with several cars—including a Mercedes-Benz E300 driven by Gross—then went airborne, flipping before landing in a ditch. Byrd was riding as a passenger in Gross’s car. Both women were pronounced dead at the scene.
Five additional people were injured in the chain-reaction crash and transported to area hospitals. State police believe speed was a contributing factor and have turned the case over to the Crash Team for further investigation. Charges are pending as prosecutors review the findings.
A Community in Mourning
The crash has shaken the community, particularly those who live near the busy roadway. Just one day prior to the vigil, many stopped by the site of the accident, leaving flowers and personal mementos. Residents have voiced concerns about speeding along Landover Road, a stretch they say has become increasingly dangerous.
At the vigil, the focus was less on the accident itself and more on the lives lost. Neighbors, friends, and even strangers joined the families to show solidarity.
Holding on to Memories
While nothing can ease the pain of losing a loved one so suddenly, family members of both Gross and Byrd said they are choosing to lean on memories to find strength. They spoke of holidays spent together, inside jokes, and the small everyday gestures that made Gross and Byrd so special.
The vigil ended with a moment of silence as candles illuminated the night sky, symbolizing two lives gone too soon but never forgotten.
For those closest to Gross and Byrd, Saturday’s gathering was a reminder that while grief runs deep, so does love—and that love will continue to carry them through the difficult days ahead.
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