MEMPHIS, TN-- A Memphis family is heartbroken after three of their loved ones were killed in a wreck.
It happened Sunday on Interstate 55 near Steele, Missouri. Police say a SUV driven by a Illinois man crossed the median and hit their car head-on. Three people-- all from Memphis-- died. The Illinois driver was also killed.
Howard Gilliland, Vontina Gilliland and Felecia Reeves-Gilliland were killed in Sunday’s crash. Those who knew and loved them just have one question-- why?
“I'm still waiting on them to come home to me. I’m still waiting on them” says Paris Gilliland. She lost her mother, father and sister.
She never expected this Christmas to be the last one she would spend with them.
“Everybody was together. No one thought our next gathering would be this, a funeral, especially not for all of them” says Paris.
On Sunday morning, the Gilliland's had been traveling home from Indiana where the family had just picked up Vontina's little boys. The children were injured in the crash, but are expected to survive.
“You want to be angry but you can't because those people also lost a loved one. We lost three. They lost one also so our hearts go out to that family as well” says Rachel Gilliland-Johnson, niece to Howard and Felecia.
For the survivors, it's time to be strong. Along with the boys, Vontina left behind a beautiful little girl. Paris says she wants to help take care of her, but it's hard not to feel heartbroken.
“They were always there for whoever needed them. If somebody needed to talk to somebody Howard, Vontina and Felecia was their friend” says Paris. “I wish they were here. I never thought it would be this early in life.”
The two little boys involved in the accident, ages 5 and 7, are being treated at Le Bonheur.
We asked officers with the Missouri Highway Patrol what caused this crash, if they know why the Illinois driver crossed into opposite lanes of traffic. They said they don't know.
Visitation services for the Gillilands will be held from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. on January 3, 2010 at Alpha Church, located at 1084 E. McLemore Ave.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on January 4, 2010 at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, located at 70 N. Bellevue Blvd.
