A mom and her newborn baby have tragically died after a car crash in Arizona. According to People, the incident happened in Phoenix at around 11:30pm local time on Saturday, June 20.
The identity of the mom was later released as 19-year-old Leila Potts. Authorities explained that she was riding in a car when it reportedly ran a red light and collided with another vehicle.
Phoenix Police Department officers reported they arrived to the scene and found her in critical condition. They transported her to a local hospital, where they delivered her baby. Tragically, neither survived. Potts ended up succumbing to her injuries.
Meanwhile, the man driving the vehicle Potts was in was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the car that was collided into ended up being uninjured.
David, Leila Potts' father, released a statement saying that his daughter was "a bright, funny, beautiful person... full of life."
It continued, "We loved her more than you can imagine... She loved drawing, cats, and her friends. Her sense of style was unmatched, she always was the best dressed. This is so unfair and horrible."
David also claimed that the man driving was the father of Leila's baby. However, this is not something that authorities have confirmed at this time.
The police said they do not believe impairment was a factor, according to AZFamily. They didn't indicate whether anyone was going to face charges for what happened, nor did they respond to a request to comment from the outlet.
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Family Friends Launched a GoFundMe After the Tragic Car Crash
Zachary Zaremba, David's best friend, launched a GoFundMe to help the family during this tragic time. As of 26 June, it's reached over $9,250 of its $10,000 goal.
Zaremba wrote, "The heartbreak and shock have left the family reeling, struggling to come to terms with the loss of both mother and child."
It continued in part, "As David faces the unimaginable pain of losing his daughter and grandson ,he is also confronted with the financial burden of funeral costs. The family is asking for help to cover the expenses needed to lay Leila and Vincent to rest, so they can focus on haling and honoring their memories."
