A tragic car accident in Colorado has left a community mourning the loss of two young parents while bringing attention to the importance of child safety in vehicles. Klariza Tarango, 24, and her partner Devante Griffin, 25, were killed in the crash, which occurred on May 1 in Bayfield. Their five-year-old daughter, Kayce Griffin, is the sole survivor of the incident.
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The family was travelling in a Chevrolet S10 when their vehicle veered off Highway 160 and overturned. The Colorado State Police stated that the accident likely happened around 6 a.m., but the vehicle remained unseen from the roadway until more than six hours later, when first responders located it at approximately 12:30 p.m. on May 2. Remarkably, Kayce spent over 30 hours adjacent to her parents’ bodies before help arrived.
Emergency responders were taken aback by Kayce’s resilience. Chief Bruce Evans of the Upper Pine Fire Protection District remarked on how well she appeared to cope in such harrowing circumstances. “You’d be surprised how resilient children are,” said Hunter Matthews, a spokesperson for the Colorado State Patrol. He added that upon their arrival, Kayce was seen walking up the hill, having sustained only minor injuries. She was subsequently taken to Mercy Hospital in Durango, where she has since been released into her grandfather’s care.
Investigations revealed that none of the occupants were secured by seat belts at the time of the crash. The lack of proper restraints has raised concerns, with officials stressing the vital importance of ensuring children are safely buckled in suitable car seats or booster seats. Chief Evans highlighted that while children may seem large enough to forgo a car seat, they must still meet specific height and weight requirements for safety.
Police have clarified that, at this stage, they are not looking into excessive speed or impairment as contributing factors in the accident. This has led to speculation about the potential for charges to be issued, although authorities do not expect any at this time. The focus following the incident has turned towards remembrance and support for the grieving family members.
In the wake of the tragedy, efforts have been made to support the families of Klariza Tarango and Devante Griffin. A GoFundMe page has been set up by Devante’s mother, while Tarango’s cousins also launched a fundraising initiative to assist with funeral expenses. The family has been celebrated for the kindness and love they shared with their community. “Klariza was a loving mother, daughter, and friend whose kindness and light touched so many lives,” her relatives shared on the fundraising page.
The Upper Pine River Fire Protection District has described the accident as both a “tragedy and a miracle” for Kayce, acknowledging the profound emotional impact of the event on local residents. They have also used the occasion to provide information about child passenger safety certification courses, striving to ensure that other families recognise the importance of proper vehicle safety measures for their children.
This heart-wrenching incident serves as a poignant reminder of the critical need for safety practices when travelling with children. The heartbreaking loss of Klariza and Devante Griffin has left a void in many lives, while the survival of Kayce also highlights the need for vigilance and education around road safety.
As the community mourns, the focus remains not just on grief, but on learning and prevention so that similar tragedies can be avoided in the future.