On April 11, 2023, a horrific car accident occurred in Whitehaven, Tennessee, that claimed the lives of four people, including a one-year-old baby. The victims were identified as Raylon Lee, Leo Smith, Asia McDaniels-Perkins, and their son Rio. This article will explore the details of the accident, the background of the family, and the impact of their loss on the community.
The Accident
According to Fox 13 Memphis1, the accident happened around 2:30 a.m. on Shelby Drive near Millbranch Road. A witness reported that a car was speeding and ran a red light, hitting another car that was turning left. The impact caused both cars to spin out of control and hit a utility pole.
The car that was hit had four occupants: Raylon Lee, Leo Smith, Asia McDaniels-Perkins, and their baby Rio. All of them were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the other car was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
The police are still investigating the cause of the accident and whether alcohol or drugs were involved. They are also looking for surveillance footage and dashcam videos that may have captured the incident.
The Family
Raylon Lee and Leo Smith were cousins who grew up together in Memphis. They were both 27 years old and had a close bond. They shared a passion for music and rap, and often performed together under the stage name R.Lee & Rio.
Asia McDaniels-Perkins was Raylon’s fiancée and the mother of their son Rio. She was 25 years old and worked as a nurse at a local hospital. She was described by her family as a loving and caring person who always put others before herself.
Rio was their one-year-old son who was born on March 9, 2022. He was a happy and playful baby who brought joy to everyone around him. He loved to dance and sing along with his parents’ music.
The family lived together in Whitehaven and had plans to get married and buy a house. They were looking forward to celebrating Rio’s second birthday in a few weeks.
The Impact
The sudden and tragic death of Raylon Lee, Leo Smith, Asia McDaniels-Perkins, and Rio has left a huge void in the lives of their family, friends, and fans. They have received an outpouring of support and condolences from the community, who have expressed their grief and shock on social media.
A candlelight vigil was held on April 12 at the site of the accident, where hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects and honor their memory. A balloon release was also organized by their relatives and loved ones.
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Raylon’s sister to help cover the funeral expenses for the four victims. As of April 14, it has raised over $20,000 from more than 400 donors.
Raylon Lee and Rio Smith will be remembered as talented and aspiring musicians who had a bright future ahead of them. Asia McDaniels-Perkins will be remembered as a devoted and compassionate nurse who made a difference in many lives. And Rio will be remembered as a precious and innocent child who deserved more time in this world.
Their legacy will live on through their music, their memories, and their love. They will be dearly missed by all who knew them.
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