TWO parents were killed in a crash as their children were seriously injured in the back seat – directly after dropping off their other son at college.
The accident occurred when their car veered off the road as their college-aged son was in another vehicle on the same interstate, pulling over after the crash, according to reports.
The couple drove to North Carolina to drop off their son at college[/caption]
Two of their other children were in the car at the time of the accident[/caption]
Donald Nunney, 55, and his wife Maria Nunney, 50, died as a result of their injuries from the Aug. 15 accident, according to a GoFundMe for the family.
Two other children – aged 9 and 15 – were also greatly injured, the fundraiser said.
They did survive.
The tragedy happened near University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, where their 19-year-old son is a sophomore student.
He was traveling in another car and pulled over onto the side of the interstate after his family’s vehicle crashed, according to WOIO.
They were near the college when their van had veered off the highway and into a wooden area, the outlet said.
Maria was pronounced dead at the scene, while her husband, who was driving, died shortly after he was airlifted to a hospital, according to police.
No other cars were involved.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol told WOIO that the college student is now staying at his sibling’s bedside in the hospital.
The couple were both teachers in Cleveland, Ohio, where the family is from.
“Maria and Donald were more than amazing and loving parents,” their fundraiser said.
“They were also a devoted son and daughter, siblings, caring teachers, and friends.”
Sandro Galindo, the brother of Maria, told WNCN that they were driving to meet their son for lunch.
The first day of school for UNC students was the following Monday.
“Every contribution, no matter the size, eases some of the weight these children are carrying,” the GoFundMe said.
“Maria and Donald leave behind a legacy of community, family, and love, all rooted in the devotion they had for their children and their family.”
It was not immediately clear what caused the crash as the investigation continues, WNCN reported.
The couple had four children in total.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol could not immediately be reached for comment.
The fundraiser had raised over $224,000 as of Wednesday morning, with over 2,800 donations.
“These four incredible kids are facing an unimaginable loss. As their family, we want to do everything we can to make sure their needs are cared for and their futures protected,” it said.
“They gave so much of themselves to their students and their community.”
The GoFundMe made to support the family raised over $200,000 as of Wednesday morning[/caption]
