Dad, 21, cradles his newborn son after pregnant wife, 22, was killed when robbers crashed into her
Heartbreaking moment dad, 21, cradles his newborn son who was saved when his 33-weeks pregnant wife, 22, was killed after robber in police chase crashed into her car
- Samantha Russell, 22, was killed while stopped at an intersection Tuesday night, when an alleged thief plowed into her car as he tried to flee police officers
- Russell was pregnant at the time and although first responders could not save her, they were able to save her son, Mac, who is reported to be healthy
- Following the tragedy, Russell’s husband, Brandon, wrote a tribute to her on Facebook as he tried to grasp what had happened
- He posted a picture of him holding his newborn son
- Wichita, Kansas police have arrested a suspect in connection with the crash
This is the heartbreaking moment a father cradles his newborn son who was saved after his pregnant wife was killed on impact when a robbers fleeing cops crashed into her car.
Samantha Russell, 22, was 33-weeks pregnant at the time of the crash on Tuesday night, and died on impact. Doctors were able to safely deliver her baby boy.
In an emotional Facebook post following the tragedy, her husband, Brandon Russell, 21, posted a photo of himself holding his newborn son, Mac.
‘Words cannot explain or express the emotions going through everyone’s head today in light of the events that took place on July 6, 2021 at around 5.30 CST,’ wrote. ‘Sammy was taken from us, but left behind the most beautiful gift of life.’
He continued to say that Samantha ‘was going to be a fantastic mother’.
‘She always had everything planned out and ready to go. She was driven and the hardest worker I knew.’
Brandon Russell posted a photo of himself holding his newborn baby son following the death of his wife, Samantha, in a fatal car crash in Wichita, Kansas Tuesday night
First responders were unable to save Samantha, but were able to rescue her son, Mac, who is reported to be healthy
Samantha Russell, 22, was pregnant when an alleged thief driving at high speeds to flee from the cops slammed into her car Tuesday night, killing her
Mac was born weighing five pounds and 4.3 ounces on July 6
‘She always, always knew what to say when I was going through an issue or needed advice. She was the best person to know. From her bubbly attitude and being all over the place to her knowing when it was “couch-thirty” and time to watch Netflix. She was an all-around good person who did not deserve to die on impact from a reckless driver,’ he wrote.
He added: ‘She was the best example of what it looks like to be happy. She showed happiness to everyone and anyone she knew. ‘She will always be my wife and the person I turn to when I need advice or to ask another one of my dumb questions.
‘I love you Samantha Russell. You are everything to me.
‘With all that said, I want anyone reading to take a moment to cherish and love those special people around you while they are here, that no one could ever replace because they mean so much to you.
‘You never know what to expect everyday,’ he concluded. ‘Live everyday to your fullest.’
Samantha and Brandon were married in 2019, according to their Facebook profiles
Samantha and Brandon were married in 2019, according to their Facebook profiles.
In January, Samantha posted a picture of the two of them holding sonogram photos to announce her pregnancy, and in March, they announced that ‘baby Russell’ would be a boy.
Samantha created crafts she sold on Etsy, according to her public profile, and worked at a real estate company, the owner of which posted about Samantha’s tragic passing on Wednesday.
‘Yesterday we lost a member of our work-family, a great agent and an even better person,’ the post reads.
‘Samantha left a mark on our lives. She was so passionate in everything she did.
‘She had a certain genuineness about her that was real and magnetic … Her passion for her clients was amazing. I affectionally referred to her as our in-house real estate ninja. She was quickly becoming a powerhouse in our firm.
‘I appreciated the opportunity to go into business with her and both she and I were excited to be writing history together with this firm; and she definitely did that.
‘She was with us for a short time, but she left an incredible impact on our lives,’ the post continues.
‘She left this earth with one final gift, Mac, her son, who praise God is doing well.
‘Samantha was so excited to be a mother, and I take solace in knowing that her family has a beautiful blessing her son to cherish and remember her.’
A GoFundMe set up to support the Russell family had already doubled its $5,000 goal by Wednesday night.
Javan Ervan, 37, left, was arrested following the fatal collision on suspicion of aggravated battery, first-degree murder and criminal possession of a firearm. He allegedly drove the Dodge truck that caused the accident. Police also arrested Jaime Chavez, 34, right, in connection with the alleged robbery
The accident reportedly occurred when an alleged thief ran a red light in his attempt to flee from police officers Tuesday night
Samantha was stopped at the intersection in her Mazda, and was reported dead on the scene
Wichita police said the suspect was driving his Dodge truck at high speeds when the accident occurred
A Nevada man driving a Chevy Silverado and a 73-year-old Wichita woman were also struck in the crash, with the woman requiring medical attention at a local hospital
Wichita police officers were onsite Tuesday night to arrest robbery suspects, when one fled northbound in a 2003 Dodge Ram pickup.
‘Our officers turned around to pursue, but it was quickly disregarded,’ Captain Paul Duff told KSN. ‘Our officers then turned around and went back to assist the other officer who took the original robbery suspect into custody.’
Meanwhile, the suspect, 37-year-old Javan Ervan, continued to travel at a high speed, running a red light and causing a multiple car crash, hitting Samantha in her Mazda CX3 while she was stopped at an intersection.
A Nevada man driving a Chevy Silverado and a 73-year-old Wichita woman were also struck in the crash, with the woman taken to a local hospital for her injuries, KSN reports.
Ervin was later arrested on suspicion of aggravated battery, first-degree murder and criminal possession of a firearm.
According to the Kansas Department of Corrections, Ervin had several robbery convictions in the past.
Wichita police also arrested 34-year-old Jaime Chavez on suspicion of robbery and criminal possession of a firearm. He had a previous conviction of aggravated indecent solicitation of a child under the age of 14 and was paroled in March.
