Travis Anderson
A young man cries at the site of the candlelight vigil held for Shatoria Brown and her two children who died in a crash on Saturday, January 6, 2018. (Submitted photo/Travis Anderson)
Friends and family gathered for a candlelight vigil on Thursday, January 11, 2018 for Shatoria Brown, 27, Ra’Majesty Johnson, 5, and Ra’Layah Johnson, 3, who died when their vehicle went into a pond near Custer Avenue in Immokalee on Saturday, January 6, 2018. At the site of the crash, attendees lit candles, prayed, sang songs, held each other close, sent balloons into the air and even set aloft several sky lanterns. The children’s grandmother, Latasha Tuff, helped organize the vigil and thanked everyone for remembering Shatoria and her two children. Although the family is still searching for answers, the Florida Highway Patrol has not yet concluded their investigation into what may have actually transpired the night the vehicle crashed into the water.
Friends and family launch sky lanterns into the air during the candlelight vigil in remembrance of Shatoria Brown, 27, Ra'Majesty Johnson, 5, and Ra'Layah Johnson, 3. (Submitted photo/Travis Anderson)
After the incident, Habitat for Humanity of Collier County took steps to secure the newly paved roadway in hopes of preventing something like this from happening again. Where traditional barricades once stood, there are now two sets of concrete barriers and barricades in place to stop vehicles from progressing into the construction site from Eden Avenue. A family viewing will be held Friday, January 19, 2018 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Boyd Funeral Home located at 2966 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Ft. Myers. Visitation will then be held the same evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bethel Assembly of God located at 1225 W. Main Street in Immokalee. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Bethel Assembly of God followed by the internment at Lake Trafford Memorial Gardens. A gofundme account has been established to help the family offset the cost of the services. The family is hoping to raise $15,000 and as of Sunday evening, just under $10,000 has been raised. Those wishing to donate may visit www.gofundme.com and in the search box type Shatoria Brown.
Latasha Tuff lights candles during the candlelight vigil held for her family members on Thursday, January 11, 2018. (Submitted photo/Travis Anderson)