Montclair woman killed on Va. 234
Jeanna Stewardson with her twin daughters, Kyla, left, and Alexa Pennington.
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By Elisa Glushefski
Published: April 5, 2008
Jeanna Elizabeth Stewardson was given more to drink than a woman her size should have the night she stumbled onto Va. 234, family members said.
And her brother and fiancé both wonder how a bartender could let someone in that condition wander out on her own.
But she did on Thursday night.
At about 11 p.m., two cars traveling south near Waterway Drive struck the 21-year-old Prince William County native. She died at the scene, police said.
"I don't understand how and why a bar would be able to serve someone like that," Steward-son's fiancé, 23-year-old Clinton Pennington, said Friday outside the couple's apartment building on the 3100 block of Chesapeake Drive near Dumfries.
Her brother, Robert Stewardson, and Pennington said they want the drivers to know the family doesn't fault them for what happened.
After all, they said, it was dark and rainy and Stewardson was wearing dark clothes and wasn't crossing at a crosswalk.
The two said they called 911 around 10 p.m. after getting an incoherent call from Stewardson, but police said they could not find a record of that call.
Police said there is record of a call roughly 15 minutes before Stewardson was hit from an unknown person who reported a disorderly/drunk in public at a shopping center on Waterway Drive in Montclair.
Pennington said he and Stewardson had been together for five years and had twin girls in 2004.
Then two months ago, despite not being able to get her a ring, Pennington proposed and she said yes.
"She was great. She was an excellent mother," he said.
"Her life was devoted to her kids," her brother later added. "She was the epitome of a care-giver."
A couple of hours later Stewardson's mother, Mary Stewardson, walked through the door of her daugh-ter's apartment carrying a boxful of pictures.
They were of Stewardson from years ago when she was still in middle school. And then there were others of her smiling with her two daughters.
Mary Stewardson, 42, said her daughter had bee
extremely stressed lately, both with her finances and health.
Through all her own troubles, though, family said Stewardson always looked out for others.
"I was always so proud of her," Stewardson's mother said, beginning to cry. "I always called her my perfect angel."
Neither of the drivers was speeding and alcohol was not a factor, said Officer Erika Hernandez police spokeswoman.
Staff writer Elisa Glushefski can be reached at 703-878-8062.
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Posted by ( Nana ) on April 10, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I don’t quite understand why anyone here is so concerned about who to “blame” for Jeanna’s death. Yes, she made a decision to go to a bar and drink. (Know many 21 year olds who haven’t?) And yes, she reportedly was drunk. First of all, when we’re reading the newspaper or watching the news, let’s not assume we have the whole story or even the truth. And the question of “where was her family?“ - come one now, be respectful. And to assume she was walking home? Outrageous.
I’ve known Jeanna since she was a little girl. My daughter and Jeanna are very close friends. Jeanna is a very responsible young lady. Jeanna took on a lot of responsibility with her younger siblings when she was very young. She found out she was pregnant with the girls later and decided to do the responsible thing and have them. Yes, responsible. Clinton and Jeanna created a wonderful loving family. These two little girls, angels, are very well cared for. My daughters and I spent most of Saturday with the girls to allow Jeanna’s fiance time to take care of things. I have had Jeanna, Clinton and the girls at my home on many occasions. They are both wonderful parents, you see it in their children. Kyla and Alexa are both kind, loving, gentle little girls that have always had what they need, and more. Kyla wants to be a princess when she grows up, and her sister - a mermaid.
Please take the time to personalize this situation and not be quick to judge. Jeanna was a very kind, lovely young lady and this was a horrible accident. This same accident could happen in any of our families.
Clinton now has quite a responsiblity on his hands. He will need help of anyone able to lend a hand on raising these little girls. You’re probably thinking his parents will step in and help out. Well, his parents have passed on. Jeanna’s father has passed on as well. Taking on this role and ensuring these girls have a happy healthy life is his responsiblity. He’s doing a great job.
My family will be at the service this evening and will continue to support Clinton in any way we can. Jeanna’s family will appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
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Posted by ( Ms. Yello ) on April 10, 2008 at 1:30 pm
It is a terrible thing to lose someone, but come on now, when you go to a bar and have drinks you know that you are not in the right state of mind. Who knows what was going through her mind after she left that bar? She was not able to think straight, because if she could she would of called someone to pick her up. My prayers are with the family at there time of need.
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Posted by ( Hillbill ) on April 10, 2008 at 12:27 pm
I would like to say like i said before that Jeanna was a WONDERFUL mother. The fact that people are saying that she could have been anything else..they should be ashamed. TWO LITTLE GIRLS JUST LOST THERE MOTHER. And all people are saying is RUDE, INCORRECT, and CRUEL statements about Jeanna. Jeanna did the best she could to take care of Kyla and Alexa. The fact that Jeanna was 21 shouldnt mean that she wasnt a good mother. People need to think twice before they say something. If you have nothing nice to say dont say anything at all. Have some respect for the family.
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Posted by ( cville ) on April 10, 2008 at 11:48 am
I want everyone to know that I started my original comment by stating that this was an awlful tradgedy. However I’m tired of the bar being set lower and lower for want a responsible parent really envolves. If she would have been responsible she wouldn’t have had two children before she was mature enough to take care of herself first. I do feel for the parentless children of this country that are increasing in numbers because mommy or daddy are either in jail or dead. Until we wake up in this country babies will keep having babies and the bar will fall lower and lower!
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Posted by ( Hillbill ) on April 10, 2008 at 10:21 am
I just wanted to say first off that this is an awful tragedy. I did know Jeanna she was a very close friend to a family member of mine. She was a wonderful mother and a great friend. No matter who is at fault or who we should blame. The only thing anything anyone needs to be worried about now is Kyla and Alexa. Those two little girls just lost there mother. Something noone should have to go through. So please STOP the rude comments and think about how you would feel if someone was talking about someone you just lost. Please just keep Jeanna and her family in your prayers and thank everyday that you have the people you have in your life. Because you never know if they will be there the tomorrow. R.I.P. Jeanna we will miss you. Love you always
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Posted by ( opinion1 ) on April 08, 2008 at 10:13 am
I believe a tragedy is a tragedy, however the blame has been set by the family. It was an unfortunate circumstance that night that was directed towards a bartender and a bar which is absolutely selfish. No bar or bartenders force there customers to drink. The woman was responsible enough to have raised to young daughters and become engaged. Why at this point would anyone feel that they should be responsible for her that particular night. And why would any blame be set on one individual. where was the family during this time? -just a thought.
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Posted by ( Corri ) on April 07, 2008 at 6:17 pm
It really hurts to read the negative comments people are leaving.For the people out there that have nothing better to do then throw stones should know that she had a very hard life, and survived it and is leaving behind two beautiful daughters that loved her very much.
Out of respect for them and their family during this time, lets not worry about blame, responsibility or even maturity and instead say a prayer for those sweet little girls that have to grow up without their mother.
I may not have known Jeanna that well but I’d like to think I knew her well enough to know that she would have never gone to the bar that night if she knew it would be the last time she saw her babies.
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Posted by ( opinion ) on April 07, 2008 at 4:14 pm
There are 2 restaurants in the Montclair shopping center by 234 that serve alcohol (unless this is referring to the small shopping center at the front of Montclair, there is one there), however, it is not the bartender or restaurant owner’s responsibility. This person knowingly went over her limit and was WALKING for goodness sake. The blame is most definitely solely on the individual, who should know his or her own limit…to WALK home from the bar! That being said, the fact that it happened is an incredible shame. My condolences to the family/fiancé.
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Posted by ( deweyzrun ) on April 07, 2008 at 3:10 pm
The Bar should have called her a CAB!
But When does the responsibilty start and end for the BAR?
It’s sad to see anyone die due to their own mistake of drinking too much..
I wonder BAR would stop giving alcohol to folks that have the CASH to pay for their drinks???? The BAR..what’s the name of the BAR??
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Posted by ( wtcb7784 ) on April 05, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Our thoughts and prays are with the family at this time. My God bless you and help you through this.
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