Two young siblings aged five and eight, who were killed after a suspected drunk driver smashed into the children’s birthday party they were attending, at the Swan Creek Boat Club in Berlin Township in Michigan, have been pictured.
Lana, eight, and Zayn, five, both died in the accident, while their mother, Mariah and elder brother, Jayden, are both fighting for their lives.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help cover funeral expenses for the children.
‘My sister and her family have lost their two babies to a drunk driver in Monroe, MI. Mom Mariah and oldest brother Jayden are still in critical condition at this time. Monies raised will help give Lana age 8 and Zayn age 5 a proper funeral and burial service,’ Mariah’s sister, Diane Harrington wrote.
‘Left over monies 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 accident, while their mother, Mariah, right, and elder brother, Jayden, left, are both fighting for their lives
Lana and Zayn are seen alongside their older brother Jayden in an earlier family photograph
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 scattered balloons and party cups after a suspected drunk driver smashed through a children’s birthday party, killing two young siblings and leaving at least nine victims fighting for their lives
An additional 15 people, including eight other children, were also badly injured after a suspected drunk driver smashed into a the venue where the party was taking place on Saturday afternoon.
Horrific images captured the aftermath as scattered balloons and party cups lay amongst rubble.
The Swan Creek Boat Club, where the tragic accident happened posted a statement to Facebook: ‘Yesterday during this tragic event the lives of two young children Lana and Zayn were lost. Our deepest sympathy goes out to this family and everyone else that was involved. That family has asked us to post their go fund me to help with the 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 Berlin Township, where shocking footage captured her car flying more than 25 feet into the building hosting the children’s party.
The driver was arrested at the scene under suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence causing death, and officials said they anticipate bringing further charges.
Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough grew visibly emotional at a press conference.
Surveillance footage showed the suspected drunk driver swerving erratically before crashing into a boat club hosting the children’s party, which injured or killed a total of 15
The horror unfolded Saturday around 3pm in Berlin Township, Michigan, as officials said the vehicle flew over 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 scrambled survivors to hospital
Authorities respond to the Swan Creek Boat Club after a driver crashed a vehicle through 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 multiple other people were injured on Saturday afternoon
In images captured by the Monroe County Reporters, the crumpled remains of the boat club showed the thin exterior walls where the vehicle plowed through.
The Sheriff’s Office explained how when the woman slammed her vehicle into the building, she travelled a further 25 feet inside because of the extreme speed with which she was traveling.
A huge first responder presence raced to the scene just after 3pm, where Goodnough said the scenes were ‘extremely chaotic’ with ‘high level of emotions.’
In surveillance footage taken from across the parking lot, the suspected drunk driver’s vehicle was seen swerving erratically.
The speeding car sped past parked vehicles before colliding with the side of the boat club, at the exact moment dozens of children and parents were celebrating a birthday party inside.
One child was reportedly pinned under the vehicle as it flew through the building, while the brother and sister who lost their lives were tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
Helicopters and ambulances scrambled nine victims to nearby hospitals, who were listed as being in life-threatening condition.
Further victims were also taken to hospital in private cars, Goodnough said.
A total of 15 adults and children were killed or injured in the horror scenes
Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough grew visibly emotional at a press conference as he confirmed that the victims, an eight-year-old girl and five-year-old boy, were siblings
Helicopters were used to transport victims to nearby hospitals, with nine of the 13 surviving victims left in life-threatening condition
The sheriff said authorities were declining to identify the 66-year-old female suspect.
‘Additional criminal charges while likely be brought against the driver as the investigation proceeds,’ Goodnough added. Officials said she was cooperating with investigators.
It is believed by investigators that the driver had been at a tavern around five miles from the boat club before the crash, which police closed down on Saturday afternoon following the wreck.
Officials said they intend to execute a search warrant on the tavern as part of the investigation into how the tragedy unfolded.
The Swan Boat club shared a brief statement on Facebook, saying: ‘There was a terrible accident at Swan today with many injuries, and much damage to the pavilion.
‘Please keep all the people and families in attendance in your prayers.’
The boat club said it would be closed as officials carry out their investigation.
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