PICTURED: Young siblings, aged 5 and 8, killed when ‘drunk-driver’ plowed into children’s birthday party in Michigan – as it is revealed their mother and brother are fighting for their lives
Pictures have been taken of two young siblings, aged five and eight, who were killed after a drunk driver crashed into the children’s birthday party they were attending.
Lana, eight, and Zayn, five, were both killed in the wreck the Swan Creek Boat Club in the municipality of Berlin Michigan, while their mother, Mariah, and older brother, Jayden, fight for their lives.
a GoFundMe was established to cover the funeral costs of the children.
“My sister and her family lost their two babies to a drunk driver in Monroe, MI. Mother Mariah and eldest brother Jayden are currently still in critical condition. “The money raised will help Lana (8) and Zayn (5) have a proper funeral and burial service,” Mariah’s sister Diane Harrington wrote.
“The remaining money will help the family with housing and medical expenses. Thank you for your support during this time.”
Lana, eight, and Zayn, five, seen together, center, both died in the crash, while their mother, Mariah, right, and older brother, Jayden, left, are both fighting for their lives
Lana and Zayn are seen with their older brother Jayden in a previous family photo
Flowers were left on Sunday at the spot where a driver smashed through a wall at the Swan Boat Club during a children’s birthday party the day before
Horrifying footage showed scattered balloons and party cups after a suspected drunk driver crashed into a children’s birthday party, killing two young siblings and leaving at least nine victims fighting for their lives
Another 15 people, including eight other children, were also seriously injured after a suspected drunk driver crashed into the venue where the party was taking place on Saturday afternoon.
Gruesome footage captured the aftermath as scattered balloons and celebratory cups littered the rubble.
The Swan Creek Boat Club, where the tragic accident occurred, posted a statement on Facebook: ‘Yesterday the lives of two young children Lana and Zayn were lost during this tragic event. Our deepest condolences go out to this family and everyone else involved. That family has asked us to post their go fund me to help with funeral arrangements for the two children. Please help if you can.”
An unidentified 66-year-old female suspect was arrested at the Swan Boat Club in the Berlin municipality, where shocking footage showed her car flying more than 7 meters into the building where the children’s party was taking place.
The driver was arrested at the scene on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, and officials said they expect to file further 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 where the children’s party was being held, injuring or killing a total of 15 people.
The horrors unfolded around 3pm on Saturday in Berlin Township, Michigan, when officials said the vehicle flew more than 25 feet into the Swan Boat Club where the party was being held.
Officials described the horror scenes as “extremely chaotic” as the young siblings were pronounced dead while helicopters and ambulances took survivors to hospital.
Authorities respond to Swan Creek Boat Club after a driver drove a vehicle through a building where a children’s birthday party was taking place
The Swan Creek Boat Club in the municipality of Berlin, where two children were killed and several other people were injured on Saturday afternoon
In images captured by the Monroe County Reportersthe crumpled remains of the boat club showed the thin outer walls the vehicle plowed through.
The Sheriff’s Office explained how when the woman rammed her car into the building, she drove another 25 feet in due to the extreme speed she was traveling at.
A huge presence of first responders rushed to the scene just after 3 p.m., where Goodnough said the scenes were “extremely chaotic” with “a high level of emotion.”
Surveillance footage taken from the other side of the parking lot showed the suspected drunk driver’s vehicle weaving erratically.
The speeding car sped past parked vehicles before colliding with the side of the boat club just as dozens of children and parents were celebrating a birthday party inside.
One child was reportedly trapped underneath the vehicle as it flew through the building, while the brother and sister who died were tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
Helicopters and ambulances took nine victims to nearby hospitals, who were in life-threatening condition.
Other victims were also taken to hospital in private cars, Goodnough said.
A total of 15 adults and children were killed or injured during the horror scenes
Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough became visibly emotional during a news conference as he confirmed that the victims, an eight-year-old girl and a five-year-old boy, were siblings.
Helicopters were used to transport the victims to nearby hospitals, leaving nine of the thirteen surviving victims in life-threatening condition
The sheriff said authorities declined to identify the 66-year-old female suspect.
“Additional criminal charges will likely be filed against the driver as the investigation continues,” Goodnough added. Officials said she was cooperating with investigators.
Investigators believe the driver had been at a tavern about five miles from the boat club before the crash, which police closed Saturday afternoon after the wreck.
Officials said they plan to execute a search warrant at the inn as part of the investigation into how the tragedy unfolded.
The Swan Boat club shared a short statement on Facebook saying: ‘There was a terrible accident at Swan today with many injuries and extensive damage to the pavilion.
“Please keep all people and families in your prayers.”
The boat club said the club would be closed while officials conduct their investigation.