On the evening of Saturday, February 8, 2025, a devastating car accident occurred at the intersection of Northwest 170th Street and 37th Avenue in Miami Gardens, Florida. The crash resulted in the deaths of three children and their grandmother, with several others sustaining serious injuries. Authorities have identified 25-year-old Antonio Wilcox Jr. as the driver responsible for the collision. He was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and at a high rate of speed at the time of the incident.

Details of the Crash

According to Miami Gardens Police, Wilcox was driving a black Kia Sorento when he rear-ended a white Nissan Altima carrying five children and three adults. The impact caused the Altima to collide with a silver Cadillac Escalade. Surveillance footage captured the sequence of events, showing the severity of the collision.

Victims and Their Families

The tragic accident claimed the lives of three siblings: 10-year-old Kamari Graham, who was celebrating his birthday that day; 9-year-old Azariah McCall; and 11-year-old Ireanna Johnson. Their grandmother, Rosa Jones, who was in her 50s, also died in the crash. Family members have expressed profound grief over the loss. Susie Williams, the children’s aunt, described them as “wonderful kids” and lamented, “I’m really gonna miss them, I’m gonna miss my babies.”

Another sibling, 13-year-old Kamarya Graham, suffered severe injuries and was declared brain dead. The children’s mother remains in critical condition, while her partner and a 7-year-old family friend were also hospitalized. The 7-year-old is reported to be in stable condition.

Legal Actions and Charges

An off-duty police officer who witnessed the crash detained Wilcox at the scene. He now faces five counts of vehicular homicide. Authorities have confirmed that both speed and alcohol were significant factors in the accident. Miami Gardens Police spokesperson Emmanuel Jeanty stated, “We can definitely confirm that speed was a factor, and alcohol was also a factor.”

A Father’s Plea Against Drunk Driving

In a poignant turn of events, Ronald McCall, the father of two of the deceased girls, revealed that he had been released from jail for a DUI offense on the morning following the crash. Upon returning home, he learned of the tragic loss of his daughters. McCall urged others to avoid drinking and driving, stating, “Don’t drink and drive… I get out and actually lose my babies to drinking and driving. They’ll never be back again. I’m left with only two. It’s hard.”

Community Response and Support

The Miami Gardens community has been deeply affected by this tragedy. Neighbors and local residents have expressed their condolences and are rallying to support the grieving family. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of impaired and reckless driving.

Conclusion

This heartbreaking event underscores the devastating consequences of driving under the influence. As the community mourns the loss of innocent lives, it also highlights the critical importance of responsible driving and the need for continued efforts to prevent such tragedies in the future.

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