Charlotte County mourns 12-year-old after tragic crash

CHARLOTTE COUNTY - A family is mourning the loss of 12-year-old Jordyn Corbin, who died two weeks ago in a crash in Charlotte County.

Jordyn and her father were hit by an alleged drunk driver, and now her father is speaking out for the first time since the tragic accident.

"The guy moved into our lane. I braced her for impact. She was sitting in the front seat, and bam, we hit," said Larry Corbin, Jordyn's father.

Larry recalled the moments following the crash on Harborbow Road and Leverne Street on February 22.

"I was coherent. And I remember services getting there and saying two D-O-A, one alive. I was hoping that guy had another person in his vehicle," said Corbin.

Jordyn was gone in an instant, and Larry, who is recovering from multiple injuries, is mourning his daughter from his hospital bed.

"My recovery is long and extensive," said Corbin. "I've got broken legs, broken ankle, broken pelvis, broken femur."

Larry expressed his fear of not being able to say goodbye to his daughter.

"Sunday, which Jordan's actual birthday, we were having a viewing," he said.

Lee Memorial Hospital is allowing Larry one day away from his hospital room to attend the viewing.

"They are going to transport me there and with a nurse, and then transport me back to the hospital. What a great blessing," said Corbin. "I've accepted me taking this hard road, me and her mom, working it through and living her memory on."

Larry fondly remembered Jordyn as spunky and sporty.

"We did a lot of rollerblading, volleyball, basketball. We love to play slip and slide kick ball," he said.

Jordyn was a friend to all, with her own unique style.

"She had her own little style, her own little group, and she loved to meet new people, and she loved to help people," said Corbin.

To Larry, Jordyn will always be 12.

"I had 12 years with this little girl that was going to turn into a woman," he said. "She's gone forever to forever 12. And, you know, I think that might even be better, because she's never going to have a heartbreak, she's never going to have any society issues where that she's going to be disappointed or let down."

Larry shared a heartfelt message: "Hold your kids tight. Man, life is short."

A candlelight vigil will be held next Thursday at Gilchrist Park to honor Jordyn's memory. Larry hopes that by lighting the sky, her light will forever shine.