The Crustner family was thrilled when Payton Crustner posed for a picture to mark her first day of fourth grade. They were unhappy, however, because the 9-year-old’s life was tragically taken before she could enter the classroom, in an unbelievable turn of events.
The fact that the family will never again get the chance to spend quality time together at the dinner table talking about what their daughter has learned in school is even more heartbreaking.
Throughout a child’s formative years, education is crucial, but this tragedy prevented Payton from realizing her learning potential and benefiting from it.
Nine-year-old Payton was recently killed in a terrible car accident. Minutes prior to the collision, Payton was seen holding up a sign with joy, according to Houston KHOU TV.
Marcus Wayne Dukes, 18, was operating a vehicle when he made an unexpected left turn onto the highway and unintentionally veered into oncoming traffic.
Payton was riding in the backseat of Miranda Michelle Clark’s car with her sister, 16, and an unidentified 3-year-old passenger when their vehicles collided.
Payton was tragically killed in a car crash after being thrown from the car by the force of the collision. She had not worn a seatbelt like Mirada had, so she was not effectively secured.
Additionally not buckled up at the time of the collision were Payne’s teenage brother Marcus Dukes and an unidentified 3-year-old passenger. The hospital received all of the victims, where Payton was later declared dead and her brother is still in critical condition.
The other three passengers were able to leave the hospital after suffering only minor injuries. A family member has already started a Facebook campaign to raise money for Payton’s funeral and her brother’s medical expenses; nearly $18,000 has been raised so far.
Wearing a seat belt is important, as evidenced by the tragic death of nine-year-old Payton Lynn Crustner this morning. Despite the fact that most people may consider it obvious, some people still do not drive safely.
To ensure the best possible safety in the event of an accident, seatbelts should always be fastened in the front and back seats. By telling this story, we can help to increase awareness of the value of seatbelts in protecting our loved ones while they are traveling.
Let’s remember the power of buckle up and make sure that everyone around us does, in order to honor Payton’s legacy and make sure that no other family experiences such a tragic loss.
In order to save more lives, we also promise to disseminate this important message widely. During these trying times, our thoughts and prayers are with Payton’s family.