A Louisiana family is grappling with an unimaginable loss following a tragic incident that took the lives of three of their beloved children just days before a significant holiday. The heartbreaking event unfolded on December 17 when an SUV transporting five individuals was struck by a Chevy pickup traveling in the opposite direction on Interstate 49.

The siblings who lost their lives in this devastating accident were Kamryn Simmons, age 14, Christopher Simmons, age 16, and 20-year-old Lindy Rae Simmons, all hailing from Jeanerette, Louisiana. Their mother, Katie DeRouen, expressed the profound sorrow that accompanies the loss of multiple family members, stating, “Losing one would have been tragic. There are no words to describe losing all three babies of the family. We all have their gifts wrapped under the tree.”

As the aftermath of the collision unfolded, it was reported that Lindy succumbed to her injuries at the scene, while her younger siblings, Kamryn and Christopher, passed away later at separate hospitals. The driver of the Chevy pickup, a 54-year-old man named John Lundy from Dallas, Georgia, also died in the crash. Two other passengers in the SUV, including the children’s mother, were hospitalized in critical condition.

A GoFundMe campaign created by Katie DeRouen revealed that John Lundy was reportedly intoxicated at the time of the accident. In a deeply emotional message shared on the fundraising page, she recounted the moment her life changed forever. Katie described receiving a phone call from her father during a Christmas gathering, informing her that her mother had been involved in a serious accident. Initially, she held onto hope, thinking her mother would only have minor injuries.

Three siblings were killed after their SUV collided head-on with a driver traveling in the wrong direction on Interstate 49 in St. Landry Parish Friday night.

https://t.co/BPiOYzQFLF

— Acadiana Advocate (@theadvocateaca) December 18, 2021

Upon arriving at the hospital, Katie was met with a frantic family who had just learned that there had been fatalities in the crash. “I was in complete denial and knew both fatalities had to be in the other car. There is no way that God would take one of my little babies from us,” she wrote. As the reality set in that the deceased were her siblings, she struggled to accept the news. Her mother, who arrived at the hospital with severe injuries, was left confused and hurt. She suffered from a bleeding spleen, a punctured lung, and multiple broken bones, highlighting the chaos of the situation.

Katie also shared the emotional burden of knowing that her mother would eventually learn about the tragic loss of her children upon waking. “The absolute hardest part of this entire experience, next to losing my siblings, is knowing that my mom will be informed of this whenever she awakens,” she lamented. She emphasized the urgent need to raise awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence, hoping to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The unimaginable happened to me last night. My life will forever be changed. I lost my 3 babies. Hit by a drunk driver head on. My 3 youngest siblings. Gone. My mom is still in ICU, and we are praying she makes it. Please pray for my family. pic.twitter.com/HGRmz0kHUW

— shea (@clksimmons) December 18, 2021

The family, once a vibrant unit of nine, now faces an unimaginable void. “We went from our ‘big family of 9 kids’ to 6 kids in the blink of an eye,” she wrote, reflecting on the profound impact this loss has had on their lives. The deep grief experienced by Katie and her family is a testament to the love and bond they shared, as well as the pain of a future forever altered.

As the community rallies around them, the heartbreaking reality of their loss serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing each moment with loved ones. The family’s story is not just a reflection of tragedy but also a call for compassion and understanding as they navigate this incredibly difficult time, grappling with the profound loss of their cherished siblings and children.