Tractor-Trailer Driver Charged in Crash That Killed Mom, 2 Sons

A father is grieving after his wife and their two sons were killed when a truck driver accused of making an illegal U-turn on a New Jersey highway crashed into their SUV.

Police say Shaqwan Tisdale, 25, was driving a Chevrolet Tahoe at the intersection of Brunswick Pike and Darrah Lane in Lawrence Township, Mercer County on Friday, around 6:30 p.m.

The married father had four passengers inside his vehicle, identified as his wife 25-year-old Jamella Tisdale, 9-year-old Jaevon Durante, 8-year-old Mellady Durante and their 3-month-old son Jaden Tisdale.

The family was heading to Tisdale's album release party when the accident occurred, according to authorities.

As he drove, police say 45-year-old Richard Williams of Brooklyn, New York was driving a tractor trailer and made an illegal U-turn. The Tahoe collided with the tractor trailer.

Jamella, Jaevon and Jaden all died in the crash. Shaqwan and Mellady were both injured and taken to the hospital and were later released.

Friends say Tisdale raised Jamella's other two children as if they were his own.

"His whole family is torn apart," said Deborah Sedam. "He was crying and asking God for help."

Williams was arrested and charged with three counts of death by auto. He is currently being held in the Mercer County Correctional Center in lieu of $100,000 bail.

A special sermon for the Tisdale family will be included in the Sunday morning, 11 a.m. worship service at the Deliverance Holy Temple Church in Bristol, Bucks County.

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