Two young siblings aged five and eight, killed after a drunk driver crashed into the children’s birthday party they were attending, have been photographed.
Lana, eight, and Zayn, five, both died in the wreck at the Swan Creek Boat Club in Berlin Township in Michigan, while their mother, Mariah, and older brother, Jayden, fight for their lives.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help cover the children’s funeral costs.
“My sister and her family lost both of their babies to a drunk driver in Monroe, Michigan. Mom Mariah and older brother Jayden remain in critical condition. “Funds raised will help give 8-year-old Lana and 5-year-old Zayn a proper funeral and burial,” Mariah’s sister Diane Harrington wrote.
“The remaining money will help the family cover housing and medical costs.” Thank you for your support during this time.
Eight-year-old Lana and five-year-old Zayn (seen together center) both died in the wreck, while their mother, Mariah (right), and older brother, Jayden (left), fight to their life.
Lana and Zayn are seen alongside their older brother Jayden in a previous family photo
Flowers were left at the scene on Sunday where a driver smashed through a wall at the Swan Boat Club during a child’s birthday party the day before.
Horrific images showed balloons and cups strewn after a drunk driver crashed into a children’s birthday party, killing two young siblings and leaving at least nine victims fighting for their lives.
Fifteen other people, including eight other children, were also seriously injured on Saturday afternoon.
Horrific images captured the aftermath as scattered balloons and party cups lay among the rubble.
The Swan Creek Boat Club, where the tragic accident occurred, released a statement on Facebook: “Yesterday, during this tragic event, the lives of two young children, Lana and Zayn, were lost.” Our deepest condolences go out to this family and everyone else involved. This family has asked us to publish their funding to help organize the funerals of the two children. Please help if you can.’
An unidentified 66-year-old female suspect has been arrested after shocking footage showed her car flying more than 25 feet into the building hosting the children’s party.
The driver was arrested at the scene on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence causing death, and authorities said they planned to file additional charges.
Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough became visibly emotional during a news conference.
Surveillance footage showed the suspected drunk driver swerving erratically before crashing into a boat club hosting the children’s party, injuring or killing a total of 15 people.
The horror unfolded around 3 p.m. Saturday in Berlin Township, Michigan, as authorities said the vehicle flew more than 25 feet into the Swan Boat Club where the party was being held.
Authorities described the horror scenes as “extremely chaotic”, with the young siblings pronounced dead while helicopters and ambulances took the survivors to hospital.
Authorities respond to the Swan Creek Boat Club after a driver crashed a vehicle into a building where a children’s birthday party was taking place.
The Swan Creek Boat Club in Berlin Township, where two children were killed and several other people were injured Saturday afternoon
The sheriff’s office explained how when the woman crashed her vehicle into the building, she traveled another 25 feet inside due to her speed.
A huge presence of first responders rushed to the scene just after 3 p.m., where Goodnough said it was “extremely chaotic” with “a high level of emotions.”
A child was reportedly trapped under the vehicle as it passed through the building, while the brother and sister who lost their lives were tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
Helicopters and ambulances transported nine victims to nearby hospitals, whose lives were in danger.
Other victims were also taken to the hospital in cars, Goodnough said.
In total, 15 adults and children were killed or injured in these horror scenes.
Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough became visibly emotional during a news conference when he confirmed that the victims, an eight-year-old girl and a five-year-old boy, were siblings.
Helicopters were used to transport victims to nearby hospitals, with nine of the 13 surviving victims in life-threatening condition.
The sheriff said authorities were refusing to identify the 66-year-old suspect.
“Additional criminal charges will likely be filed against the driver as the investigation progresses,” Goodnough added. Authorities said she was cooperating with investigators.
Investigators believe the driver was at a bar about five miles from the yacht club before the crash, which police closed Saturday afternoon after the wreck.
Officials said they intended to execute a search warrant at the tavern as part of the investigation into how the tragedy unfolded.
dailymail us
