A family in Missouri is grappling with profound grief after Arianna Elliott, a young mother, was killed in a late-night wrong-way crash that also left two other young women seriously injured.
The collision occurred shortly after 11 p.m. on Friday along Lewis & Clark Boulevard near Chambers Road in Moline Acres, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Investigators said a 21-year-old man driving a Chrysler 300 northbound lost control, crossed the center line into southbound lanes, and collided with Elliott’s Mazda 3. Elliott was transported to hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
Family members rushed to the scene after the crash, only to be confronted with the devastating news. “To hear my sister scream hurts because there’s nothing I can do to tell her I can bring your baby back,” said Danielle Smith, Elliott’s aunt.
Two passengers in Elliott’s vehicle survived but sustained severe injuries. Janae Richardson, 18, suffered two broken legs and a broken arm, while Shamiya Dyson, 21, remains hospitalized with multiple injuries, including a spinal injury. Family members say both face lengthy recoveries.
Authorities also confirmed that a 26-year-old woman in the Chrysler died in the crash, while a 31-year-old woman in the same vehicle was injured. The driver of the Chrysler was reported to be the only person wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision.
Relatives have used the tragedy to highlight the importance of road safety.
“You’re not driving for yourself,” said Elliott’s cousin Jerami Mitchell. “You’re driving for whoever’s in the car with you, and especially for the people around you.”
The highway patrol said an accident reconstruction team is still investigating the cause of the crash and has not yet released further details.
As investigations continue, Elliott’s family is focused on honoring her memory and caring for her young son. A handwritten letter from her 5-year-old child, read aloud by relatives, has underscored the emotional toll of the loss. “What are you doing in heaven? I want you to come back to life,” the child wrote.
The family has since launched a fundraiser to assist with funeral expenses and provide long-term support for Elliott’s son, as they navigate life after a loss that has shaken the entire community.
