Virginia police have confirmed at least one survivor from a devastating Christmas Eve car crash that claimed the lives of 22-year-old Danyelle Hankins and her passenger, 30-year-old DaShawn White. Remarkably, a one-month-old child was found alive inside Hankins’ Jeep at the crash site.
CBS affiliate WANF reported that the driver of a Ford Explorer involved in the collision was rushed to a hospital. As of Friday, the conditions of both the infant and the driver remain unknown.
The crash occurred Tuesday afternoon on Chatham Road in Halifax County. Authorities reported that Hankins’ Jeep veered across the center line into oncoming traffic. The driver of the Ford Explorer tried to swerve to avoid a collision, but the vehicles collided head-on, resulting in the fatalities.
Following the tragedy, Hankins’ family set up a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses. The campaign description read: “This is Danyelle. We lost her on Christmas Eve 2024 to a terrible accident.” The family also shared plans to allocate any extra funds toward the future education of Hankins’ daughter, Eliana.
“We thank you in advance and please cherish your loved ones,” the page concluded. In an unrelated but equally harrowing incident, a taxi struck multiple pedestrians in New York City’s Herald Square on the same day. The accident, which occurred just outside Macy’s department store at Sixth Avenue and West 34th Street, left six people injured, including a child.
The taxi reportedly jumped a curb just after 4 p.m., hitting pedestrians before coming to a stop. Dean Moses, a reporter for AMNewYork, captured videos of the chaotic scene, showing first responders gathered around the damaged taxi.
According to reports from the Citizen app, three individuals sustained minor injuries, while three others were seriously hurt. Fortunately, none of the injuries were life-threatening. Police later confirmed that the seriously injured included a 9-year-old boy and a 41-year-old woman, believed to be a mother-son pair, who were taken to Cornell Hospital.
A 49-year-old woman was transported to Bellevue Hospital. The remaining three injured—ages 19, 37, and 49—were reported to be in stable condition. As investigations into both incidents continue, these tragedies serve as a stark reminder to cherish loved ones and prioritize safety during the holiday season.