Family mourns 4 relatives who died in NC crash, thanks good Samaritan who helped rescue 5th: ‘A blessing’

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WJZY) – Six people died in a deadly crash on a North Carolina highway this weekend. 

State troopers say two vehicles collided Saturday on I-485 in west Charlotte, near the airport exit. 

Five of the victims were family members, including three small children, traveling together on their way to the Carowinds amusement park, according to relatives. 

“I’m feeling numb, angry, emotional,” said April Willis, a mother, grandmother, and aunt to the victims. “I don’t know which way to turn.” 

Willis lost her daughter, Taylor Willis, as well as her 8-year-old nephew and two young grandchildren. 

“I’m just going to miss them altogether,” she said. “[My grandchildren] were only 1 and 3. Now they don’t have a life to live.” 

Taylor Willis’s boyfriend, Jake Holmes, was killed too. 

Troopers say a 16-year-old boy hit the family’s van, and both vehicles collided with a parked tractor-trailer on the shoulder of the highway. 

The teenage driver, Logan Sauer, also died at the scene. 

As April Willis and her family mourn, they’re spending all their time at the hospital with another one of her daughters, 16-year-old Katelynn. She broke her back and collarbone in the crash, and was the only survivor from the two vehicles. 

Katelynn’s family credits a stranger, Laylani Collins, with helping to save her life, explaining that Collins had sprinted out of her car to help Katelynn before first responders even arrived. 

“The girl that helped my sister is actually a blessing,” said Payton Willis, Katelynn’s sister. 

Collins says she would want someone to do the same for her family. 

“[Katelynn] started freaking out,” she said. “She’s like, ‘I’m claustrophobic, I don’t like this.’ I’m like, ‘I understand, I’m scared just like you’re scared, but just relax, I’m going to help you as much as I can.'” 

April Willis asks for prayers as she works to take life a day at a time, missing the love that her family held so deeply. 

“Taylor was wonderful for her kids,” Willis said. “She was a wonderful mom, took care of her kids, and just was always there for her kids no matter what.” 

State troopers are still investigating the crash, but they say they don’t expect any criminal charges to be filed.

April Willis has also set up an online fundraiser to raise money for funeral expenses.