Fatal crash in Iowa claims the lives of three Champaign children

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A deadly car crash one state over resulted in the death of three young children from Champaign.

On Oct. 8, a family was involved in a crash on Highway 30 in Iowa last week. It resulted in three family members being hospitalized and three children under the age of five losing their lives.

“Get justice out of this because there’s still three precious souls that are gone,” said Jaineka Brown, aunt of the children.

The family is taking on this difficult time through their faith and the support of their community. Brown said the family is looking to the community for continued support.

“That’s all we can do, one day at a time, one prayer at a time,” she said. “We’re fighting to stay strong through this traumatic tragedy.”

Hearts are heavy in Champaign following the accident. Brown described the emotions that came following the accident.

“Their life had just begun to be going so soon, it hurts, it hurts. But their mission here was done,” she said.

Layani Carter-Epps was only five years old.

“My niece Layani, she had a smile out of this world,” Brown said. “She was so bright, so vibrant. She loved to color.”

Layani’s little brother Miko was two.

“I call him my Stevie-J because he would terrorize everybody from the time he woke up to the time he went to sleep,” Brown said.

And Jacesun Jackson was four.

“My nephew Jacesun, for him to be four years old, he was like a baby genius,” Brown said. “He was so smart, like he was doing math problems. He could do addition; he could do subtraction; he loved to learn,” Brown said.

Now, as the entire family navigates what comes next, grief brings them together.

“I’m going to miss them,” Brown said. “I just wish that I had more time. Time is not on my side, and I now realize that.”

Two of the three adults in the car are still in an Iowa hospital, with one in critical but stable condition. The family is asking the community for help in paying for funeral arrangements. To donate, head to their fundraiser at gofundme.com .

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