Fundraiser underway for family of mom, twins struck in hit-and-run crash in Livonia
Susan Bromley • Hometownlife.com
LIVONIA - The Livonia First Responder Foundation is collecting funds to help a family after a tragic hit-and-run crash.Tia Robinson of Detroit and her 3-year-old twins, Khalil and Khloe, were walking across Merriman Road near Lyndon Street at about 10:46 p.m., June 29, when they were struck by a vehicle driven by a 47-year-old Mount Morris woman who fled the scene. Khalil died. Tia Robinson and Khloe were hospitalized in critical condition and Tia remained critical as of July 2, Livonia Police Captain Eric Marcotte said, while Khloe was showing some improvement.
The Livonia First Responder Foundation has established a collection on its website, asking the community to support the Robinson family. The site, which has a button to click to make a donation, notes that 100% of proceeds will go to the Robinson family.
"This is a tragedy and we want to do what we can to support the family," said Curtis Caid, president of the foundation and former Livonia police chief. "Dealing with something like this, the magnitude reverberates. A mom and her two toddlers were devastatingly injured. Those images stay with you. It's an honor to do what we can. I spoke with the parents of (Tia), and the grandparents of (Khalil and Khloe), and they support and endorse our ability to do that."Police have not yet named the suspect in the crash, who they located with the help of numerous eyewitnesses, they said. Marcotte said a request for charges has been submitted to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office and he hopes for an arraignment soon.
The Livonia First Responder Foundation was established about four years ago with a mission "to empower Livonia’s first responders to go above and beyond in ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of their team members and the community."
Caid noted that last year, the foundation supported the Drake family, who lost their 2-year-old son when a tree fell on their home during a tornado. Additionally, a separate gofundme raised nearly $470,000 for the Drakes.
Caid is hopeful the community will rally again. Donations have started arriving and he said they will be forwarded on to the grandparents as they make funeral arrangements for Khalil."Dealing with tragedies such as these is awful, but it is heartwarming to see the generosity of people who want to support us, however they can," Caid said.Besides the donation button on the Livonia First Responder Foundation website, those wishing to mail a check can do so as well. Checks can be made payable to the Livonia First Responder Foundation, with "Robinson Family" in the memo line, and sent to 37637 Five Mile Road, Ste. 911, Livonia, MI 48154.
