‘They were my babies': Mom of boys killed in Largo crash tearfully mourns loss
LARGO, Fla. (WFLA) — The community is reeling after two young boys were killed in a car crash in Largo over the weekend.
The boys, 10-year-old Jabarai Solomon and 4-year-old Charlie Solomon Riveria, were killed instantly when their Kia Soul was struck by a Dodge Durango on Saturday afternoon.
Their mother, Bechinta 'Sheena' Solomon, said it's her daughter keeping her going.
'I'm still a mother of three, but now I only have one living child that I have to stay strong for.'
The boys were supposed to spend Mother's Day with her, and now she said she doesn't think she'll be able to celebrate anymore.
'My boys were momma's boys,' Sheena said.
Her oldest son, Jabari, had just celebrated his 10th birthday on May 4 and was having a late celebration with his father and brother on the day he was killed.
'What keeps me going, that on the last day of their lives, they spent time with the man that loved them. They had fun with the man that loved them,' she said.
Sheena said Jabari was a talkative and happy child who loved school, Roblox and telling his mother about his day when he got off the bus.
'He thought he was the man of the house because he always had the TV remote in his hand,' she said.
Sheena said she grew up in Pinellas County and has felt the support of the community during this tragic time. Friends, neighbors and even strangers have shared their condolences and added to a small memorial near the crash site.
'I know how my county is, they're always going to show support in a time of need,' she said.
Police are still investigating the crash, which involved University of Miami football player Adarius Hayes, and no charges have been filed so far. While they are still determining the cause, police have said that there were no signs of impairment with either driver.
University of Miami football player involved in deadly Largo crash
The boys' mother asked for an end to online negativity, saying that she holds no ill will toward anyone involved.
'Anger is not going to bring my kids back. They're still gone,' Sheena said.
There is a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses for the boys and support Sheena and her daughter as they navigate this tragedy.
The boys' father, 58-year-old Herbert Riveria, who was also in the car, has been in the hospital since the crash.
A friend of his, Jeff Howard, said he has six broken ribs and a broken sternum.
Jeff started a GoFundMe for Herbert to help support his physical and mental recovery.
Gail Prince, the 78-year-old driver of the Kia, died from her injuries on Sunday.
Hayes was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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