Donations For Funerals Of Three Children, Uncle Killed In North East Crash

The Brandon Tolson Foundation is working with the family that lost three children and an uncle last week.

On Thursday, May 23, 2019, members of the Shackelford family were traveling south on Mechanics Valley Road near North East, Md. when they lost control of the vehicle and spun sideways into the path of a pick-up truck. The accident took the lives of three children and their uncle Anthony Shackelford, 34, of Elkton.

The Brandon Tolson Foundation set out to build a support system for parents after the Harford County couple lost their son, 20-year-old Brandon Tolson in a 2016 auto accident.

The group focuses on helping grieving families navigate through the paperwork, insurance and other details that come up after a tragedy like this. These tasks can be difficult to deal with, especially for grieving family members.

The group has announced that they are assisting Shackelford.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of 3 children and their uncle in a fatal accident that took place last night in Cecil County. Our prayers and thoughts go out to the families of Tiffany Shackelford and Kathy Giles-Shackelford. While there are 4 children pictured, we do know the ages of the children range from 4 to 10 years old.

Many of you have reached out asking how you can help. The foundation has connected with the family and set up a donations page for the Shackelford Family and 100% of your donation will go directly to the family. No fees! No nonsense! We are a volunteer-based non-profit organization trying to help a grieving family.

Prayers are greatly appreciated during this time of mourning.”

Donation link: https://squareup.com/store/brandon-tolson-foundation

“We have met with the parents, David Jackson, Sr., Tiffany Shackelford, and some extended family, and accompanied them to the funeral home. As they work through the details, we will be assessing their need and how we can help financially. To date, we have over 70 donations totaling just over $3,300 and are so grateful for everyone’s support.

The two survivors of the accident Mary Shackelford, the children’s grandmother, remains in shock trauma and David Jackson, Jr, is in a hospital in Delaware recouping from his injuries. Please keep them and the Jackson/Shackelford family in your thoughts & prayers.

We appreciate all the shares to continue to get our message out to the community about our mission to help families going through a sudden and tragic loss of a child. To contact us directly, please email us at [email protected]

Update

A third child has died due to injuries suffered in a horrific crash near North East, Md. on Thursday evening.

The  9-year-old boy that was transported to Union Hospital and later flown by helicopter to Johns Hopkins succumbed to his injuries.

The children’s grandmother, the driver of the Saturn, remains in critical condition in the hospital and is unaware that the children have passed, according to relatives. The 13-year-old boy also remains in critical condition at A.I, DuPont Hospital.

Original Story

On Thursday, May 23, 2019, at approximately 9:36 p.m. Cecil County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies were dispatched to a motor vehicle collision with an individual ejected in the 600 block of Mechanics Valley Road near North East, according to CCSO Chief Deputy Gerald K. Widdoes, J.D.

Widdoes said a deputy arrived within one minute and another deputy arrived within 2 minutes of the dispatch. Uniformed patrol deputies immediately began CPR on two juveniles. Deputies learned that two vehicles were involved in the collision with entrapment and five additional patients were also injured.

Cecil County Department of Emergency Services Paramedics, North East Fire Company, Singerly Fire Company, and the Charlestown Fire Company responded to the collision along with three helicopters from the Maryland State Police and Delaware State Police.

Mechanics Valley Road was closed with the assistance of the Cecil County Roads Department and Fire Police. As of 3:00 a.m. Friday morning CCSO crash reconstructionists were still on the scene.

Initial indication shows that a 2005 Saturn was traveling south on Mechanics Valley Road when it lost control for an unknown reason and subsequently spun sideways where it was struck by a northbound 1999 Chevrolet pick-up truck.

Two adults were in the front seats of the Saturn and four juveniles, relatives of the front seat occupants, were in the back, said Widdoes.

The driver of the Saturn, a 53 Elkton woman, was flown to University of Maryland “Shock Trauma” in critical condition.

The front seat passenger, Anthony Shackelford, 34, of Elkton and a  4-year-old boy were pronounced deceased at the scene.

A 10-year-old girl was transported to Union Hospital and subsequently passed away.

A  9-year-old boy also transported to Union Hospital was later flown by helicopter to Johns Hopkins in critical condition. (Update: This child also passed away.)

A 13-year-old boy was flown to A.I, DuPont Hospital in critical condition.

The driver of the pick-up truck, a 24-year-old Elkton man was transported by ambulance to Christiana Hospital with what is believed to be non-life threatening injuries.

Widdoes said a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team was activated for deputies, EMS, and Fire/Rescue personnel to talk with counselors.

Anyone with information concerning the collision is asked to contact the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office at 410-996-5500 and refer to case number 19-41663.

Breaking Report

North East, Md. – Just after 9:30 last evening, Thursday, May 24, 2019, Cecil County rescue crews along with Maryland (MSP) and Delaware State Police Aviation responded to the 600 block of Mechanics Valley Road for reports of a vehicle accident involving multiple injuries.

Upon arrival, crews reported a two-vehicle crash with heavy entrapment. Unable to wait for the helicopters, one patient, a small child, was immediately rushed to Union Hospital.

Trooper 4 and one MSP helicopter dispatched to the scene landed nearby in the WAWA and Royal Farms’ parking lots. Command reported that one adult and three children would be transported by air.

Radio traffic indicates that the two additional MSP helicopters were recalled.

We’re expecting an update from MSP.

Developing

About Staff Writer

First State Update's Delaware editorial team covers New Castle County, Kent County and Sussex County breaking news, political news, and general news stories. We bring the reader the latest news from the Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Rehoboth Beach and all point in between. If you have news to share, email us at [email protected].

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