8-month-old killed in crash on I-40 identified
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — An 8-month-old who died in a tragic car crash on Interstate 40 West between Appling Road and Whitten Road last Friday has been identified.
8-month-old Nai'lani Carnegie was described as a light whose spirit shined bright in any room.
'The grandma, this was her first grandchild so that was a joy for her so she went above and beyond for her grandchild even with her ailments,' said Harvey Whisenton, the uncle.
The family says they were traveling from California to Arkansas to attend a funeral. Now they have to plan another one.
After the crash, Nai'lani was taken to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in critical condition but later died from her injuries.
8-month-old baby killed in crash on I-40
A Gofundme was created to help bring Nai'lani home to California to be laid to rest.
'Put her away how she should be,' Whisenton said. 'Just show the love that we have for her just as a little child. She should be shown that and the memories we have with her. Make it a celebration than more of a loss.'
So far, the family has raised 25% of their donation goal.
'We have a large family on both sides. When we're talking to people, people calling, the conversations and support is there. Families coming by and supporting us and giving their condolences, that's on another level. The people showing their support for the family is overwhelming,' Whisenton said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Southern California mother deported after immigration hearing
Loved ones are heartbroken after a Southern California mother was detained and deported after a routine immigration hearing. Maria Valeriano Perez, 52, is a mother of three children who has lived in the U.S. for 35 years. She had been working as a custodian in Ventura County for years. Her family said she attended an immigration appointment on June 4 and, instead of receiving an update on her case, she was immediately handcuffed and taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She was transported to a federal detention center in downtown L.A. and was eventually deported to Oaxaca, Mexico. Maria's daughter, Erika Perez, said she was not only in shock over her mother's detainment, but also by the reportedly heartbreaking conditions her mother had witnessed. 'She told me about women inside banging doors, begging for food,' Erika told KTLA's Sandra Mitchell. 'They were so hungry that they would pretend they were drinking [and eating.]' Erika said her mother described the detention facility conditions as bleak — a place where men, women and children were crowded into a single room for processing. 'The women would crawl under benches and start crying just to escape the nightmare that they were going through,' Erika said. Kamilla Ponce, whose uncle was also detained by ICE, said he was not provided with much information during the process. 'They didn't even ask if they had papers or if they were documented or had proof of ID, they just rounded them all up,' Ponce said. Her uncle, Rodolfo Ponce Flores, was taken into custody during a raid in the Garment District in downtown L.A. on June 6. She said in just a few days, he had been moved to at least three different facilities across three different counties in SoCal. 'We tried to go see him, but they said, 'No,'' Ponce said. 'They were not letting anybody in, not even the lawyers.' Although Erika said her mother has accepted her fate that she may never gain U.S. citizenship, it doesn't change the effect her absence will have on her friends, loved ones and community members. 'She told me to take care of my siblings and that it's going to be okay,' Erika said of her last conversation with her mother before she was deported. 'I'm just devastated. She's gone now. She left me alone to raise my two other siblings.' Under a new policy from the Trump Administration, Maria would not be able to apply for re-admission into the U.S. for another 10 years. A GoFundMe page to help the Perez family can be found here. A campaign to help Ponce's uncle can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Attorney: Ex-wife of Rex Heuermann putting on a show in documentary
(NewsNation) — Asa Ellerup, the ex-wife of accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann, has defended his innocence in a new documentary released on streaming platform Peacock. In 'The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets,' a three-part documentary, Ellerup is a central figure along with her and Heuermann's daughter, Victoria. Ellerup referred to Heuermann as 'her hero' despite the pair divorcing shortly after his arrest two years ago, and that she had 'fallen in love with him all over again.' Victoria Heuermann, on the other hand, has said she believes her father is 'most likely' the Gilgo Beach serial killer. Authorities believe they spotted ex-soldier Travis Decker, who is wanted in deaths of 3 daughters John Ray, the attorney for the family of victim Shannan Gilbert, said Ellerup's statements are all about posturing herself to show she had no involvement in the killings. 'This is all for show, and she's being paid a lot of money to put on a show,' Ray said. 'She and her daughter are doing very well at that. This is all fake and her statements are informed by that fakery.' Heuermann is accused of killing a total of seven women, whose bodies were among several found on Long Island, New York. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Heuermann is due back in court June 17 as a judge continues to weigh whether to allow key DNA evidence into the trial. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Motorcyclist critically injured in KCMO after hitting guardrail
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – One person was critically injured after a motorcycle crash in Kansas City on Tuesday evening. The incident was reported just before 7:10 p.m. Investigations revealed that a red Honda Goldwing motorcycle was traveling eastbound on 350 Highway. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri The motorcyclist failed to navigate a curve and went off the roadway hitting a guardrail and being ejected off the motorcycle. The motorcyclist was taken to the hospital with critical injuries and is currently in stable condition, according to police. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, according to KCPD. The crash is still under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
