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'This is painful': New York highway car crash victims' fathers open up about horrifying tragedy

The tragic accident claimed the lives of Anthony Billips Jr, 17, Zahnyiah Cross, 12, Shawnell Cross, 11, Andrew Billips, 8, and Malik Smith, 16
PUBLISHED MAR 21, 2023
One of the victims' fathers, Anthony Bilips, says the children were more than just cousins and were really close with each other ( Facebook/Anthony Billips)
One of the victims' fathers, Anthony Bilips, says the children were more than just cousins and were really close with each other ( Facebook/Anthony Billips)

SCARSDALE, NEW YORK: Fathers of the five victims involved in the horrific car crash on the New York highway have now opened up about their feelings regarding the tragic incident. The victims included three boys and two girls identified as Malik Smith, 16, Anthony Billips Jr, 17, Zahnyiah Cross, 12, Shawnell Cross, 11, and Andrew Billips,8, in the incident that took place on Sunday, March 19. 

The only survivor of the accident is a 9-year-old boy who was in the back seat of a Nissan Rogue. Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, "The crash cost the lives of five young people. That is a tragedy no matter what the details are. It was a horrific accident site."

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What are the comments of the fathers? 

Malik Smith's father also named Malik Smith said, “I told him, his mother told him, his older brothers told him, stop driving without a license, without a permit. You can get in trouble for these things." He also added, “Anything happens, you get pulled over, you get in trouble for these things. Stop doing this.” "They wasn’t cousins, they were more brothers. Brothers and sisters, that’s how close they are." He added, "He goes to get ice cream with his cousins. They go to the movies. They walk around the mall. They do what teenagers and kids do. I didn't know he was driving by himself," the father said to CBS New York.



 

Another father of the victims, Anthony Bilips, wrote on Facebook, "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 wouldn't 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." 

'No words to describe what you going through'

The family initiated a GoFundMe campaign that stated, "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."

Users on the platform expressed their sorrow and love to the family. A user wrote, "I can’t express my sorrow for all of you enough. Please take comfort in God’s arms and His presence with you right now. Your children are angels now watching over you. I’m so sorry." "My heart goes out to you. May God bless you and help you. May your children fly high with the angels. My sincere condolences" wrote another user. A user claimed, "My highest thoughts and my whole heart are with all of you. Especially you tay. I am so so sorry, babe. I love you always." "I am so sorry for your loss. No words to describe what you going through. May God help you through this terrible time," wrote a user. A user explained, "As a Mother, I can't even imagine what you are going through. May the Lord Jesus Christ give you all the love, support supernatural power you need to get through this. You will be in my prayers." 

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