Tragedy in Idaho: Teenager and Her Family Die in Tragic Car Accident
A 17-year-old teenager, her father, and her two younger brothers lost their lives after the young girl fell asleep at the wheel and drove off a cliff into a river while on a family trip from Washington to Idaho, authorities reported.
The family was reported missing on Saturday morning as they did not reach their destination within the expected time. A few hours later, a fisherman discovered their overturned car in the Salmon River, north of Riggins, Idaho, according to a statement on the Idaho County Coroner's Facebook page.
The Spokane family was identified as Calvin "CJ" Miller, 36 years old, and his three children: Dakota, 17 years old, Jack, 10 years old, and Delihia, 8 years old. "All occupants died as a result of their injuries," stated the coroner's office.
"We are devastated for this family, and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time," the coroner's office said in the statement.
The Idaho County Sheriff's deputies believe that Dakota fell asleep at the wheel. According to an accident report obtained by USA TODAY, "As a result, Dakota veered off the road and crashed into a pile of large rocks, causing the vehicle to go airborne. The vehicle crashed into another pile of large rocks, flipping over and landing upside down in the Salmon River."
According to the report, officers believe that the car plummeted from a 30-foot cliff into the river, where the cold water filled the vehicle through the broken driver's window, causing the family to drown.
The sheriff's office, the Idaho State Police, Riggins dive team, ambulances, and the Idaho Department of Transportation all assisted in the response to the incident.
As for the mother of the two younger deceased children, Zella Blair, she was not on the trip, as reported by Fox 28. Jack and Delilah Miller are Blair's older children.
"I would give anything to have them here with me for the rest of my life," Blair told the station. "I just want my children back."
On Sunday, Blair received the news that her children, her ex-partner, and her daughter had all perished on the way to their destination, as reported by the station.
A GoFundMe page to cover funeral expenses had already raised over $10,000 as of Thursday. Another GoFundMe was created on behalf of Calvin's partner, Amberlynn Weber, to cover funeral costs. The fund has raised over $19,000 as of Thursday.
Originally posted at Abogados de Accidentes
