Louisville Landscape Contractor Pays Tribute to Death of Two Young Girls with Memorial

A Louisville landscape contractor has found a unique way to pay tribute to two young girls killed in a hit-and-run accident in July.

James Weiter says he wanted to create a memorial to 5-year-old Claudia Wadlington and 4-year-old Riley Lawrence to honor their passing and express sympathy to their families.

The girls were crossing a street near the University of Louisville with Claudia's mother, Angela Wadlington, on July 25 when they were struck by a car that sped off. Claudia Wadlington died at the scene and Lawrence died hours later at the hospital. Angela Wadlington was also injured.

Police indicted Kenielle Finch on 14 charges, including two counts of murder. Finch, who was allegedly fleeing police at the time of the accident, remains in jail on $385,000 bond.

"It touched us," Weiter said of the children's deaths. "I was kind of thinking, 'What can we do, what can we do?' "

Weiter, with the blessing of the families, began working on a memorial a few blocks from the accident.

He gained inspiration after reading the girls were leaving swimming practice at the time. The memorial features a bronze statue of two girls holding hands while dressed in swimsuits.

The statue will be in a median earmarked for beautification years ago. Weiter spent several weekends working on the memorial and completed it this week.

Relatives of Claudia and Riley are scheduled to attend the dedication Sunday. Weiter told The Courier-Journal he plans on maintaining the site indefinitely.

Weiter's children and his business manager, Kim Wiggins, helped him put the memorial together. Several subcontractors donated work or materials for free or at cost. Weiter estimated the project cost around $12,000.

Weiter said passers-by would stop to thank him for his work, while some drivers honked in a show of support.

St. Joseph Area Association President Gail Linville said the memorial could serve as a reminder to drivers to be more cautious.

"I think that what happened was simply horrible, but I think this is nice," she said. "And so many people speed through here anyway. Maybe seeing this will help people slow down."