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Young mother killed on son's first day of kindergarten

By Hannah Saunders
Published  September 9, 2016 5:22pm EDT
News
FOX 2 Detroit

(WJBK) - A young mother was killed in a roll-over crash on her son's first day of kindergarten, now her family is asking for help.

"This baby is going to grow up without his mother, and that's just not fair," said Latonha Stokes-Allen, mother of the victim.

On Tuesday, 6-year-old Armani started kindergarten. It was the same day his mother, 26-year-old Darionha Tyler, was killed in a rollover crash.

"This was her world, this was her breath, this was her everything," Stokes-Allen said.

Her family members will have to raise him now.

"She was my best friend," said Amber Abram, the victim's sister. "I'm going to miss her so much. But I know she's OK now."

The single vehicle crash happened early Tuesday morning on northbound I-75 near I-94.

Michigan state police say when they arrived on scene, Tyler was already deceased. She was found ejected from the vehicle and trapped underneath.

Police say she was not wearing her seat belt and was likely going to fast. They're still investigating of alcohol was a factor.

"I'm looking at her like, why wouldn't you have your seat belt on? I know the seat belt would have saved her life," said Denisha Stokes, the victim's aunt.

Tyler's family says the young mother was distraught over an argument with her boyfriend, when she got behind the wheel.

"They had a small argument and she was upset," Stokes-Allen said.

Stokes said Tyler  was a very responsible driver.

"I think she was arguing and she was upset, and that caused a lapse in judgment. That's what I think," Stokes-Allen said.

Armani was Tyler's only child. She worked full-time for a catering company and was taking classes at Wayne County Community College. Her family is asking the public to use their story as a reminder of how important it is to wear your seat belt.

"I think my niece would still be here she had her seat belt on," Stokes said. "Seat belts save lives."

If you'd like to donate, CLICK HERE to visit the family's GoFundMe page.

"If anybody can help, because she didn't have insurance, they can go to her GoFundMe account, and ... anything that's not use towards her burial is definitely going to go to him and a college fund," Stokes-Allen said.