'This is heartbreaking': Pinal County sheriff Mark Lamb's son and granddaughter killed in car crash
GILBERT, ARIZONA: A 22-year-old male and an infant died in a two-vehicle collision on December 16 in Gilbert at Elliot Road and Cole Drive. A woman who was also in the car was hospitalized in a critical condition. The infant was identified by Gilbert police as the granddaughter of Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb and the adult victim as Cooper Lamb, his son. Cooper's fiancee survived the crash but was gravely injured.
The Gilbert Police Department claims that a red passenger car was struck by a silver truck that was moving west at what seemed to be "normal speeds." The red car had made an effort to turn left and head north on Cole Drive. Cooper and his child were in the car that Cooper's fiancee was allegedly driving. Cooper Lamb and the one-year-old were pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of officers and Gilbert Fire and Rescue first responders to save their lives.
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Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb thanked the public for their "outpouring of love" in a statement. "We are just so touched and grateful for the outpouring of love, support and prayers from our friends, the people of Arizona and friends from all over the country," said Mark Lamb in an email to The Arizona Republic, as per Yahoo News. "We are also extremely thankful for those citizens and first responders who rendered care to Cooper and our sweet granddaughter."
"Oh my gosh. The truck just slid in and I knew there was going to be accidents here," Jason Vaught, a witness at the scene, said in surveillance footage procured by ABC 15. "I thought it was for sure a bookcase that fell over. It was just so loud, and almost the whole block came out to see it. That's how loud it was." When Vaught and his family stepped outside to provide help, they observed emergency personnel giving life-saving aid to the child. "It's just painful to watch. Especially because there were some people that lost their lives," he said.
According to a Facebook post from the Pinal County Sheriff's Office, the mother of the girl and the fiancée of Cooper Lamb, is still in the hospital in a serious condition. A GoFundMe has been set up for donations to help sheriff Lamb and his wife Janel with funeral costs and medical bills. According to Lamb, who spoke to the Republic, he is currently praying for his son's fiancée and her family.
"We are clinging to our faith in Jesus Christ and each other and although we are sick and devastated we know that we will all be together again someday," Lamb said. The truck's driver was unharmed. The truck driver was detained for potential intoxication following an investigation by the traffic unit of the Gilbert Police Department, according to officials.
Officials expressed their sympathies for the sheriff and his family on social media, as reported by The Sun. "I am deeply shocked and saddened to learn of this devastating loss to Sheriff Lamb's family," Independent Senator Krysten Sinema said. "All of Arizona is sending our love, strength, and condolences to them in this unimaginable time."
Governor Doug Ducey also sent his well-wishes to the family. "This is heartbreaking. Something no parent should go through," he said. "My prayers go to Sheriff Lamb, his wife Janel and their family. May their loved ones rest in peace."