Lisa Boudreaux has forgiven Derek Quebedeaux of Hammond for the death of her daughter, Beth Boudreaux. Beth’s life, along with the lives of Maxime Profit, 23, of Vaires-sur-Marne, France and Thurman “Rion” Lowe III, 24, of Kenner, were cut short as a result of a hit-and-run by Quebedeaux on March 6, 2009. Two former Southeastern tennis players, Nadine Stewart of England and Maja Bradonjic of Serbia, were also injured but have since returned home.
According to Boudreaux, Quebedeaux had been a friend of the Boudreaux family before the accident and remains so, in a sense.
“Derek didn’t do this on purpose,” said Boudreaux. “He made a bad mistake that people make all the time and he’s paying a horrible consequence. I know he is sorry.”
On Nov. 8, 2010, Quebedeaux plead guilty to all charges and the parameters of his sentence were set by the presiding judge. Quebedeaux’s sentencing will take place on Feb. 15, 2011 and he may face up to 100 years in prison.
“My husband feels that Derek pleading guilty was the right thing to do, we both do,” said Boudreaux. “As for his sentence, well, I’m no judge. I trust our legal system to do what is appropriate.”
Coping with the loss of her daughter has not been easy for Boudreaux. She has turned to her Christian faith, which has helped her deal with the grief.
“I remember I was miserable on Mother’s Day, I was beside myself,” said Boudreaux. “When a mother loses a child, it’s unbearable. I turned to God and found comfort with him.”
When asked of her personal thoughts about Quebedeaux’s impending sentencing, Boudreaux conveyed only concern.
“I’ve already had closure,” said Boudreaux. “Trials are hard, and there’s not a day I don’t cry, but my prayers are with Derek. I’m worried about how prison will affect his life when he is released.”
Boudreaux remembers Beth as a shy but involved 19-year-old. She majored in psychology, was an active member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and a spirited member of the Southeastern cheerleading squad. Boudreaux also described Beth as someone others looked up to.
“She was like the mother of the group,” said Boudreaux. “I see now just how much of an impact she had on my life. To me she was more than my daughter, she was grace.”