4 Queens Family Members Die In Car Crash

Yesterday, a family's father, mother, and two children died in a car crash in North Carolina. Wayne Pride-Hicks, wife Natalie, and their five kids were traveling to Alabama for a family reunion when their minivan "drifted" into oncoming traffic on I-77. Police say Wayne Pride-Hicks, who was driving, had fallen asleep; the Post reports, "8-year-old son, Elijah, futilely tried to wake him, but the family minivan rammed head-on into a pick-up truck and a car," according to Pastor Lester Williams of Community Church of Christ in Jamaica, where both Wayne and Natalie Pride-Hicks were deacons. Pride-Hicks, his wife, son Wayne Jr. and daughter Natalia were killed; the pick-up truck's driver and passenger were in critical condition while the car's driver was treated and released. Williams and his wife plan to petition for guardianship of the surviving children, Elijah and Josiah and John, both 5.

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By Jen Chung in News on May 23, 2009 8:47 AM

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NannyState

This is as heartbreaking as that minister who was killed with his family by a drunk driver while travelling to Detroit. For God's sake, guys, stop somewhere and get a nap.

Steven

Why didn't his wife and him take turns in driving?

From reading the daily news article it seems like he wanted to drive 21 hours straight with just food or bathroom breaks, probably.

freddynyc

Gosh, the little one there looked so adorable...

Gwinny

Yes, this is sad -- but it also shows how irresponsible it is to drive when sleepy. We've all been there and it's a horrible feeling to be nodding off when behind the wheel -- and that's why you STOP and get some coffee or call it a night rather than risk your life and that of your family (and, in this case, several other people as well)!

Sucks for those poor orphaned kids but it sounds like the community is stepping in, which is a good thing.

eyekantspel

I agree. The story is reported as so sympathetic to this guy and his family, but HE fell asleep and went into oncoming traffic, leaving the pickup driver and his passenger in critical condition. I'd love to see the North Carolina angle on this. I mean, yeah, the guy's a deacon, and it's terrible about the kids, but Dad is to blame on this one.