A Mississippi mother and father are seeking assistance from their community after their youngest son was killed in a car accident involving their three sons.
Micah Braxton Lee Napper, 4, of Petal, Miss., was identified as the deceased in an obituary, which listed his death date as April 28.
In a GoFundMe page set up by the child’s paternal uncle, Mike Napper, the organizer stated that Joseph Paul and Michelle Pittman Napper’s “16-year-old son, who was driving, is currently in the ICU.”
“Their 10-year-old son, who was a passenger, was airlifted to another hospital for additional care. “Sadly, their 4-year-old son succumbed to his injuries and died,” Napper wrote.
A picture of Micah swinging a bat while playing tee ball was included.
North Forrest Volunteer Fire Department Chief Brandon Odom said his team responded to a “report of a single-vehicle accident with possible entrapment and injuries” in the 500 block of River Road just before 5:30 p.m.
Firefighters arrived at the scene and discovered a silver vehicle that had left the road, entered a creek, and landed upside down on the bank.
Two of the victims, a 16-year-old and his 10-year-old sibling, were already outside the vehicle, while the 4-year-old was still trapped inside.
As crews worked to help the older brothers, Micah was pulled from the vehicle.
“Tragically, the juvenile who was trapped succumbed to their injuries at the scene,” according to Odom. “The other two victims were transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.”
“Due to their financial situation, they have no insurance and limited resources,” Napper stated on the GoFundMe page. “They will need assistance with funeral expenses and ongoing medical costs. Any assistance you can provide would mean the world to them at this unimaginable time.”
As of Friday, May 2, the GoFundMe had raised slightly more than $26,000, surpassing the $25,000 goal.
“Micah filled every moment with energy, joy, and love” during his brief life on Earth, according to his obituary.
The four-year-old “especially loved wrestling with his dad and older brothers — his laughter and enthusiasm leaving lasting impressions on all who knew him.”
Micah’s funeral will take place Saturday, May 3, at 11:30 a.m.
According to Chief Odom, the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office will continue its investigation into the incident.