Friends, family and colleagues of a Michigan nursing home nurse who died in the line of duty were still searching for answers Tuesday, two days after she was struck and killed by a car trying to avoid the patient she was saving.

Police said they were notified Sunday morning about an uncooperative patient who had walked out of Majestic Care of Livonia and was lying in a busy nearby road. Before police could arrive, a licensed practical nurse and colleagues picked up the patient, put her in a wheelchair and started rolling her back to the facility.

But an 80-year-old driver swerved to miss the wheelchair, hitting the LPN instead before striking two parked cars. The LPN, a mother of three who had turned 42 less than two weeks earlier, was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. 

Police said alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the tragedy.

‘Created magic’ for others

“It is with profound grief and immense sympathy that we mourn the unfortunate passing of a valued care team member of Majestic Care who lost her life in a devastating accident,” said Majestic Care CEO Paul D. Pruitt in a statement provided to McKnight’s Long-Term Care News Tuesday. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Care Team member’s family, friends, and colleagues as they cope with this unimaginable loss.  She was an amazing caregiver that provided exceptional care to residents and created magic for all those around her.”

Pruit said the deceased was admired for “the dedicated care she gave …  and the calling she answered by always putting the lives of residents as a top priority.”

The company is providing grief counseling and support services for affected staff and residents. It operates 36 skilled nursing facilities in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.

“We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure work environment for all our Care Team members, and this accident has reminded us of the importance of workplace safety,” Pruitt said.

 He added that the company was fully cooperating with authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident “to understand what happened and to prevent similar occurrences in the future.”

Although the company did not name the deceased, published reports identified her as Plymouth, MI, resident Latrice Jones.

“She worked long hours and many days to ensure that she provided for her three children and her family. She will be missed by a lot of us, and her memory should be treasured,” said friend and fellow nurse Shonte Lyles in a WXYX report. “For this lady to risk her life and get this patient back into the facility safe and just lose her life, it’s unbelievable.”