News

Actions

9-year-old killed moments after posing for first-day-of-school photo

Posted at 10:25 AM, Aug 30, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-30 10:25:03-04

RUSK COUNTY, Texas – A 9-year-old had just posed for a photo for her first day of school moments before she was killed in a two-vehicle collision in Texas on Tuesday.

“Payton Lynn Crustner, 9 years old, was taken from this world this morning before her first day of 4th grade, please keep this family in your prayers,” reads the description of the Facebook fundraiser “Remembering Payton.”

Crustner was one of four people in a 2017 Nissan Sentra that collided with an oncoming 2016 GMC Sierra pickup, according to KYTX.

The 32-year-old driver, a 16-year-old passenger, and a 3-year-old passenger were taken to the hospital.

The 9-year-old, however, was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene.

The driver of the pickup was also taken to the hospital.

KYTX reports all have been released except for the 16-year-old, who remains in critical condition.

The family has turned to Facebook to raise money to help cover the young girl’s funeral expenses.

On the page, people have offered their sympathies and prayers, helping to raise more than $4,700 in two days. The family’s goal is to reach $10,000.