A family forced to navigate grief after an avoidable crash that led to the passing of James Barnes

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Back in November 2025, ABC57 brought you details on a crash that happened at Mayflower Road and Belleville Circle in South Bend. That crash was a result of drunk driving, which ultimately took the life of James Barnes. This crash was completely avoidable if the person behind the wheel was not intoxicated.

This story serves as a reminder that headlines are humans too, and everyone has a story.

The Barnes family is made up of three kids, Travis, Melissa, and Katelyn Barnes and James wife, Nashell. The night of the crash, the siblings all were on their way home from seeing the northern lights in Michigan, when they drove past an unfortunate crash.

Travis Barnes says, “We actually, actually drove on the bypass home. We actually saw the wreck, yeah, but we didn't, but we didn't think it was our parents and the dog.”

Moments after getting home, Travis and his wife Alyssa heard a knock at the door. Katelyn Barnes, his sister, tells ABC57's Sidney Moore, “A cop had showed up at their door that my parents were in a really bad accident and that we had to get to the hospital really fast. I remember like just screaming and crying and being so confused because I didn't know it was coming next.”

Police shared a drunk driver had hit their parents and their family dog around 10 p.m. that night.

Katelyn Barnes, says, “We first found out Paisley had passed away. They had to actually euthanize her because of the severe injuries. They just couldn't really, you know, fix her. And then after that, they had to actually go and identify my dad, because they didn't have his ID on him. He was still alive at that point, but they were working on him, and they explained what they saw, because I didn't go with I was too weak to go.”

At this time both parents were still alive, undergoing surgeries and fighting, but only one walked out of the hospital.

Nashell Barnes, Jame's Wife says, “The last time I asked them how their dad was doing—they just shook their head and started crying and I knew he was gone.”

58-year-old James Barnes died at the hands of a drunk driver, leaving behind his wife and three children. Nashell Barnes survived, now forced to physically heal while navigating her grief.

She says, "Physically, I feel like I can be a warrior, but emotionally, it's going to take a long time. The grief, I don't think, I don't know how long it'll take. I think about them every day”

According to in.gov, OWI arrests have increased 17% from 2024 to 2025, jumping from 3,406 arrests to 3,985.

The family is hosting a celebration of life that will be open to the public at the Lydick Center in South Bend. That event takes place January 24, from 10-1. There will be a blood drive at the event as well and the family is accepting donations through there GoFundMe.

Fundraiser by Katelyn Barnes: Help My Mom Heal and Lay My Dad to Rest After Fatal Crash