Pictured: Siblings, aged five and eight, killed by ‘drunk driver’ who smashed into a children’s birthday party
Children’s mother and older brother were among more than a dozen others injured when a 66-year-old woman plowed her car 25-feet through a kids’ birthday party at the Swan Boat Club in Michigan
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Two young siblings killed by a ‘drunk driver’ who smashed her car through a children’s birthday party in Michigan have been pictured for the first time.
Lana, eight, and Zayn, five, were killed when a vehicle plowed into the Swan Boat Club in Berlin Township at 3pm on Saturday.
Their mother and older brother remain in a critical condition but are conscious after the incident, which left injured more than a dozen adults and children.
The children’s last name was not made public on a GoFundMe page which asked for donations towards their funerals. Diane Harrington, a family member, said that any more remaining from donations would be used for medical expenses for their mother Mariah and their brother Jayden.
As of Monday, the page had raised more than $175,000.
An updated message read: “The family can not thank everyone enough for the continued support at a time like this. Jayden had a long surgery yesterday and will have quite the recovery ahead of him but he is awake and in the comfort of his family.
“Mariah is now awake and also has a long recovery ahead of her. Continued prayers needed as the family navigates through this tough time.”
On Saturday 20 April, a car collided with the boat club, stopping 25 feet inside the building, according to Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
An unnamed 66-year-old woman was driving the car, authorities said. She has been taken into police custody on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, causing death.
The sheriff’s office noted that “additional criminal charges will likely be brought” against the driver. The investigation is ongoing.
First responders described the scene as “extremely chaotic,” the sheriff’s office said, with aid provided to 13 others. Three children and six adults were transported to local hospitals with “serious injuries.”
Swan Boat Club wrote on Facebook that there had been a “terrible accident” on Saturday resulting in “many injuries, and much damage to the pavilion.”
“Please keep all the people and families in attendance in your prayers,” the venue said.