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Five children were killed Sunday in Scarsdale, New York after the group’s SUV crashed into a tree and caught fire just after midnight.
According to local police, the vehicle was driven by a 16-year-old boy who veered off the road for an unknown reason and struck a tree in Westchester County.
A nine-year-old boy who was riding in the ‘rear hatchback/cargo area’ managed to survive the crash and escape the vehicle.
The parents of the five children – whose ages ranged from eight to 17 – posted heartbreaking tributes to social media Sunday afternoon.
‘This is the most painful post I ever had to write in my life,’ said father Anthony Billips in a Facebook post. ‘We wouldn’t wish this to happen to anyone in this world.’
Family members posted this image of the three children – who are all related – on a GoFundMe after they died in the car crash in Scarsdale, New York
Five children were killed Sunday in Scarsdale, New York after the group’s SUV crashed into a tree and caught fire just after midnight
One of the victims (pictured) was posted by grieving family members online following the fiery crash
According to WABC, police said the 16-year-old who was at the wheel may have fallen asleep causing him and the Nissan Rogue to travel off the road.
After hitting the tree, the car burst into flames and killed the driver, three young boys, and two girls, all from Derby, Connecticut.
The children’s names and respective ages are unknown at this time – but family members have posted tributes and photos of the deceased.
In a GoFundMe post set up by family members, grieving relatives pictured seven individuals in a mixture of group and selfie photos of the deceased.
‘They’re all either teenagers or less, sadly,’ O’Leary said.
While speaking with media, Westchester Police spokesperson Kieran O’Leary said the one child who survived was able to get ‘out the back somehow.’
The 9-year-old boy who survived was taken to Westchester Medical Center. He was in stable condition Sunday afternoon.
The crash remains under investigation as the family grieves the losses.
In social media posts, the family has asked friends and loved ones for prayers and thoughts during the difficult time.
‘Lord Jesus I don’t understand why you had to take our babies from us,’ wrote Nicole Cross – who said her children were killed in the wreck.
‘Please give us the strength Lord God,’ Cross said.
‘These kids didn’t deserve this like why is this happening please keep my family in your prayers…. don’t know what to do or how to handle this God please help us,’ the grieving woman wrote.
‘This is the most painful post I ever had to write in my life,’ said father Anthony Bilips (pictured) in a Facebook post. It’s understood that he is the dad of some of the five children who died
A GoFundMe set up by the family. In the image, the grieving relatives uploaded photos showing seven individuals – five of which died in the crash. Their names have not yet been disclosed
According to WABC, police said the 16-year-old who was at the wheel may have fallen asleep causing him and the Nissan Rogue to travel off the road
After hitting the tree, the car burst into flames and killed the driver, three young boys, and two girls, all from Derby, Connecticut
The family has also started a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses for the five children who were killed.
‘I am making a fundraiser to help bury our children we lost,’ wrote Da’Shawna Cross who identifies herself as one of the mothers of the children killed.
‘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,’ the fundraiser’s description reads.
The GoFundMe has a $50,000 goal and is at just over $6,500 as of Sunday evening.
‘Please anything will help we just want to put our babies to rest,’ the mother wrote in her heartbreaking plea.
The donations section has since been flooded with individuals leaving their thoughts and prayers for the family.
‘I can’t even imagine the pain this family is going through. I pray that God helps them find peace and healing,’ one person wrote.
‘May their memories be a blessing,’ said another person who left a donation.
‘You and your family are in my prayers.. God bless you,’ wrote one person.
In a statement to WABC, the superintendent of the local Connecticut school district where the family lives called the event ‘the unimaginable.’
Superintendent Matt Conway said he reached out to one of the parents to offer condolences and resources if the family is in need.
‘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,’ Conway said.
According to Business Insider, the city where the crash occurred is the upscale Scarsdale, a town of about 18,000 residents.
In 2020, the city had an average household income of $452,000, making it the second richest city in the U.S. that year, just behind a city near Silicon Valley.
Scarsdale is located just 35 miles north of New York City.
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