A baby girl who was critically hurt in a crash that killed a 6-year-old boy and 20-year-old man and also injured six others last Sunday passed away Friday night.
The aunt of 7-week-old Zyana Wilson confirmed with NBC10 the baby girl died from her injuries. Zyana’s father, 20-year-old Zaire Ross-Wilson, as well as 6-year-old Eric Barksdale-Perez also died in the crash which occurred Sunday afternoon along a wet road in the Wissahickon section of Philadelphia.
A candlelight vigil was held for the three victims Saturday night.
Zyana, her father and Barksdale-Perez were all passengers inside a 2005 Gray Mazda 6 that was traveling northbound on the 4200 block of Henry Avenue just before 4 p.m. Sunday. An unidentified driver, 25-year-old woman, 23-year-old woman, 5-year-old boy and 4-year-old boy were also inside the car at the time. Police say the driver crossed into the southbound lanes and was struck by a second vehicle occupied by two adults.
The impact caused the passengers of the vehicle that veered into traffic to be ejected, said police. No one in that car -- aside from Zyana, who was in the car seat -- was buckled in, according to police.
"It's never advisable not to be restrained to begin with," Philadelphia Police Accident Investigation Capt. John Wilczynski. "This is very unfortunate. You see the devastation that occurred as a result of not being restrained in the back of that vehicle.”
Barksdale-Perez died at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children a short time later. Ross-Wilson, who was in the backseat, died overnight at a hospital. Zyana, who was critically injured, died Friday night, according to her family.
A family member told NBC10 the other victims of the crash are doing okay.
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Officials continue to investigate the cause of the accident though they say DUI is not suspected nor was excessive speed. Instead they suspect the rainy weather that day played a role.
"The roadway was wet," said Wilczynski.
Witnesses told NBC10 the stretch of road where the crash occurred includes a curve that is particularly dangerous during rainy weather. Residents in the area as well as a state representative have lobbied PennDOT to make safety changes to the area.
