Two children and one of their fathers died after their car was struck by a tractor-trailer during a four-vehicle crash on Interstate 95 southbound in Waterford on Sunday night.
According to the state medical examiner's office, Sanaa Reynolds, Dacari Robinson and Darin Robinson died from their injuries. Family members said they were returning from a family gathering in New London at the time of the crash.
Family members said Sanaa was 9 years old and her younger brother Dacari was 3, although police have reported Dacari's age to be 2.
Dacari's father, 26-year-old Darin Robinson, was in critical condition at Yale-New Haven Hospital in the days following the crash and has since been pronounced dead.
The medical examiner's office said Tuesday that Sanaa had died. Dacari was pronounced dead at the scene.
The children's mother, 25-year-old Baughnita Leary, was seriously injured and is undergoing treatment at Yale-New Haven Hospital.
"Losing your two kids and significant other all in one shot is... I don't know how," said David Scruse, the family's neighbor. Scruse said the family, and Leary in particular, is very active with the local church and has received strong support from the congregation.
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State police said the crash happened around 7 p.m. Sunday when a tractor-trailer owned by Gold Medal Bakery of Fall River, Massachusetts, crashed into the the family's car. Traffic had been delayed in the area due to previous crashes.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for the children's funerals, and a second page is set up to raise money for Robinson's funeral. A vigil for the victims is planned for Friday.
Members of the community at Sherman Elementary School are mourning the loss of two of their students.
"I'm feeling just overwhelmed with sadness," said Meriden school Supt. Dr. Mark Benigni.
Dacari was a member of the school's early intervention program and Sanaa was in fourth grade. She had been at the school since Kindergarten.
"She was one of our shining stars here at Sherman," principal Dr. Lysette Torres said of Sanaa. "She had a beautiful smile that lit up her classroom everyday."
Driver Peter Driscoll and his passenger Bradley Brown, both 21-year-old New London residents, were also injured when their car was hit. A fourth driver, Steven Loller, was hurt as well, police said.
State police said the driver of the tractor-trailer will likely face charges. The investigation is ongoing.