An online fundraiser seeks to help out a family as they are forced to bury their six-year-old daughter after a crash over the weekend in Seneca County.
We’re told the Seneca Falls family was in a minivan stopped on Route 318, attempting to make a left-hand turn onto Burgess Road in Junius, when they were hit from behind by a flatback truck Saturday afternoon.
The driver of the minivan, 26-year-old Mary Taylor, and her six-year-old daughter Camyra were taken to the Geneva hospital where Camyra was pronounced dead.
Taylor’s 11-month-old daughter and three-year-old daughter, who were passengers in the vehicle, were taken by helicopter to Strong Memorial Hospital. Monday, troopers said the girls had been released after treatment.
According to the GoFundMe fundraiser, the grieving family is now struggling to pay for Camyra’s funeral.
Family, Friends Mourn Loss of 6-year-old in Fatal Junius Wreck
Purple balloons and flowers surround a memorial on Route 318. This marks the site where six-year-old Camyra Watts was killed Saturday afternoon.
State police said that 26-year-old Mary Taylor, along with her three children were turning off route 318 onto Burgess Road when their minivan was hit from behind by a flatbed truck.
Police said that Watts was sitting in the far back row of the vehicle when the crash occurred, killing the child.
Watts’ younger sisters, three-year-old Tamya and 11-month-old Capria, were airlifted to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. Both were reported in satisfactory condition.
Taylor and the driver of the flatbed truck were not seriously injured.
“Any time you see a loss of life it’s terrible, much less a six-year-old child,” said State Police Spokesman Mark O’Donnell. “That breaks everybody’s heart.”
Friends of Camyra came to the memorial, wanting to share their memories of their best friend.
“She was her best friend forever and she was nice to us and she made us laugh,” said best friend Addison Lavare, standing next to another emotional friend. “We love her so much.”
Police said they have collected the truck driver’s phone and given him a blood test to see if he was distracted or under the influence at the time of the accident.
O’Donnell said that if there are any charges that can be filed, there will be.
The truck driver is cooperating with the investigation, according to police.
UPDATE: Police identify those involved in fatal two-car crash along Rt. 318 in Junius
State Police have provided another update to the fatal crash, which prompted a significant response from first responders in Northern Seneca County on Saturday.
Mary Taylor, 26, of Seneca Falls was traveling west on State Route 318 when she slowed to make a left turn onto Burgess Road.
Her minivan was struck from behind, according to Troopers, by a flatbed truck.
Taylor was taken to Geneva General Hospital, according to Troopers.
Taylor’s daughter, identified as 6-year-old Camyra Watts, died at Geneva General Hospital from injuries sustained in the crash.
Police say Taylor’s two other children – identified as 3-year-old Tamyah, and 11-month-old Capria were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital with serious injuries.
The operator of the flatbed truck was identified as Meroe Hurst, 19, of Seneca Falls. He wasn’t injured in the crash, according to troopers.
Police say the truck was registered to Finger Lakes Dairy Services.
The State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement unit responded to the scene; and the investigation remains active.
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