Marla Brumit will now spend 12 years in prison for the death of her son, but her family is ready to welcome her back with open arms. Friday, Brumit pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide, aggravated child neglect, and aggravated assault. Johnson City police say she ran off Okolona Road back on April 12, 2006. Brumit’s 10 year-old daughter was in the cab of the truck and her 13 year-old son Davd was in the back of the truck. He was ejected by the impact and died. At the time, police said Brumit had a blood alcohol level of .19, more than twice the legal limit. We couldn’t include this fact in our story Tuesday night, but according to Brumit’s family, after the woman’s son and daughter started arguing on that April day, she stopped her truck and made her son go sit in the bed of the truck.  Shortly after, she wrecked and her son died. Yet, still her family forgives her.

Rarely do I interview the family of a victim who has died and they tell me they’ve forgiven the person responsible. With this family, I believe even if it wasn’t one of their own arrested, they still would have forgiven the suspect. It’s a testament to the family’s faith. David Brumit’s great uncle Micheal Carter admits at first Brumit’s father was bitter and angry over the situation. However, 20 months later, he has forgiven his ex-wife. Carter says if Brumit’s father can forgive, then why can’t the rest of the family? If anything, this family’s story shows the power of love and faith. This wreck and consequently David Brumit’s death, could have easily torn this family apart. Instead, it has now brought them closer together.