After a head-on collision killed their parents, the relatives of four young children in California are hoping to start a new life for them. Benjamin and Jessica Stone died on December 29, 2023, when a man traveling in the opposite direction veered into their lane and hit their minivan. The parents reportedly died at the scene, but all four children miraculously survived.
Today, Hennessy, Jaymeson, Rose, and Faith are with family members who are relying on the generosity of loved ones and donations from strangers. The family is grateful for the ongoing support and dedication to the children.
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The accident occurred in the early afternoon.
According to a California Highway Patrol crash report obtained by Siskiyou News, Ben Stone was driving his family's Chrysler Pacifica Eastbound on Copco Road in Siskiyou County around noon December 29 when the driver of a Dodge Ram 1500 drifted from the westbound Lane, striking the minivan. Benjamin and Jessica Stone, and the unidentified driver of the truck all died at the scene. The coupleās four children were taken to Fairchild Medical Center for treatment, per the news outlet.
The children received varying degrees of injuries.
Per a GoFundMe page created by Kara Kitchen, the two older children, Hennessy and Jaymeson, sustained significant injuries, while Rose and Faith only had minor cuts and bruises. Although the physical injuries will heal, loved ones worry about the children's emotional needs.
"All of the children will need some sort of support to get through this difficult time. In the aftermath of this horrific incident, the family is now faced with the daunting task of rebuilding their lives and assisting the medical and emotional journey of all four of the children," Kitchen wrote on the page.
The older children were recently released from the hospital.
In an update, Kitchen said Hennessey and Jaymeson are home from the hospital and on their journey to healing. They are expected to be OK and are thriving with the community's support.
"Emotional healing takes time, and although that road can be long, they have so many friends and family loving on them, visiting, and bringing meals," the update on the fundraising page reads. "They are being shown love by the community and even those who may not know them personally, but send their loving thoughts and prayers. The family appreciates every bit of kindness shown."
Loved ones are trying to provide the best lives for the children.
A second GoFundMe account, created by Ben Stone's mother, Deborah Weber, explains that the older children will live with their father and stepmother, and Weber and her husband will raise the younger kids. Ben was their only child.
"Bill and I have guardianship of Rose and Faith. Rose is a bouncy, bossy three year old who knows her parents are with God but also wonders when they will be back. Faith turns one in January," she wrote. "While she will have no actual memory of the accident, growing up without parents could be very challenging for her. Right now, though, she is focused on cutting teeth and taking her first steps."
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The families are working together for the four children.
Kitchen wrote that it will take the support of many people to help raise the kids.
"With family and friends, and the community rallying for them, they can heal mentally and emotionally over time. If we can help alleviate the financial burden for the family, the kids can be provided the necessary resources to help them with recovery. Between counseling, aftercare from injuries, and all the additional expense that the families will incur with full time care, along with additional schooling to help the kids in their studies, any and all help given will be very much appreciated. All donations will be split between the 4 children," she wrote.
Weber echoed the sentiment in her GoFundMe post. "An immediate focus will be on all the children's mental and emotional health as they deal with the challenges of losing both their parents. Any donation, in any amount, is greatly appreciated. Thank you for helping," she explained.
Collectively, they have raised more than $75,000 through the GoFundMe accounts so far.
