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Newaygo firefighters’ children killed in Florida crash

Posted at 6:37 PM, Oct 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-25 18:37:23-04

NASSAU COUNTY, Florida — Police in Florida are investigating an alleged drunk driving crash that left two children dead and seven other people hurt on Saturday.

The Florida Times-Union reports a Ford Expedition driven by 33-year-old Tonya Naomi Capallia-Eason lost control on a curve north of Jacksonville and crashed into a utility pole, causing the vehicle to flip over.

The two children who were killed have been identified as the driver’s children, Nicholai Capallia, 9, and Nehemiah Capallia-Bird, 8. Police say the children’s 7-year-old sister, Nina suffered critical injuries in the crash.  Police say the other passengers in the car, who were all minors, were also hurt.

Investigators say the driver was wearing her seat belt, but say it’s unclear whether the other people in the vehicle were buckled in.

We’re told Nicholai, Nehemiah and Nina’s father and step-mother are firefighters with the Newaygo Fire Department. They’re currently at a hospital in Florida to be with Nina and to make arrangements to help return their sons’ bodies to Michigan.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family with memorial and travel costs.

So far, charges have not been filed in that crash, but the incident remains under investigation.