5 children from same family killed in fiery NY crash after SUV rams into tree
SCARSDALE, NEW YORK: In a tragic incident, five children between the ages of five and seventeen, all related to each other, died in a car accident that occurred on Sunday, March 19, on New York Highway. All of the victims were from Connecticut. The only survivor of the accident is a 9-year-old boy who was in the back seat of a Nissan Rogue.
The survivor was "apparently riding in the rear hatchback/cargo area and escaped out the rear," the official statement said. The boy was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. The five children killed are four boys and one girl. Their identities have not yet been released.
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What happened on the New York highway?
It is reported that the 16-year-old boy was driving his group of siblings and cousins home from the mall. While doing so, he lost control of his Nissan Rogue on Hutchinson River Parkway just past the exit for Mamaroneck Road in Westchester County. After he lost control, the car struck a tree, causing the SUV to burst into flames. Matt Conway, superintendent of schools in Derby, Connecticut, said, "It's the unimaginable. Having to now make arrangements for five of your children to be buried is a very difficult thing for anyone - one child, never mind five, that you're going to have to now make arrangements for," according to the Mirror.
What is the response from the parents?
Nicole Cross, who is the mother of two of the victims, wrote on Facebook, "Lord Jesus I don't understand why you had to take our babies from us please give us the strength Lord God these kids didn't deserve this like why is this happening please keep my family in your prayers I'm begging we lost five kids in a tragic ass accident and don't know what to do or how to handle this God please help us." The father of the two victims, Anthony Billips wrote, "This is the most painful post I ever had to write in my life myself my wife Nicole Cross my wife Tay Billips and my sister Michelle Walker lost our precious kids in a fatal car accident six kids where in the car only one survived the pain we are feeling words can even express and we wouldnt wish this to happen to anyone in this world we need all of yall prayers and kind words to help us threw this terrible time please send all prayers Thank you and we love you."
A GoFundMe campaign was initiated for funeral purposes. The campaign note read, "Hi, my name is Da'Shawna Cross I am making a fundraiser to help bury our children we lost, we as parents lost 5 of our children in a very tragic accident and need help deeply with giving them a great home going service please anything will help we just want to put our babies to rest."