Mom killed and her three kids fighting for their life after tire blowout caused freeway chaos
Olivia Maggs, 32, was traveling in a 2023 Honda Odyssey down Interstate 95 in Brevard County at around 12.30pm with her children - Jude, Noah and eight-month-old Ella - when a 2003 Ford F-350 that was traveling in the adjacent lane suffered a tire blowout, Fox 35 reports.
The 58-year-old pickup truck driver then lost control and swerved into the inside lane - striking Maggs' SUV.
The impact forced both vehicles off the roadway and into a guardrail, causing Maggs' SUV to burst into flames, according to Florida Today.
Nearby motorists soon pulled over and ran to the vehicle to help remove the children from the smoldering wreckage, but Maggs was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her children, meanwhile, were airlifted to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando for their injuries.
An online fundraiser set up to help the Maggs family says the two boys, ages three and four, are expected to be OK.
Eight-month-old Ella, however, suffered a broken femur and a brain bleed.
Maggs and her children were traveling down Interstate 95 in a 2023 Honda Odyssey on Monday afternoon, when a pickup truck in the adjacent lane lost control and swerved into her vehicle
Florida Highway Patrol officers said the truck driver and his 20-year-old passenger, both from Babylon, New York, remained at the scene following the fiery collision. Neither was injured in the collision.
Still, it remains unclear what may have caused the truck's tire to blow out, and the Florida Highway Patrol said it is continuing to investigate the crash.
'The past day has been very difficult to comprehend and understand and will only get more complicated in the coming weeks as we grieve the loss of Olivia,' her husband, Cody, wrote on Facebook.
'As with many of you, the news comes as a complete shock.'
He went on to describe his wife as 'one of the most sweetest, gentle, patient and kind souls' who had 'a true servant's heart.'
She was also 'a beautiful mother. A loving wife. A nurse who was passionate about helping others,' he added.
'A lot of people who have reached out have asked how you can help,' Cody continued. 'The first would be for continuing prayer.
'Prayers for comfort and healing for the family, especially the boys who had to sit in the car seeing their mom after the accident and have lots of tough questions,' he explained. 'Prayers for Ella, who suffered a fractured leg and brain bleed in the accident.
'Me, as a father, trying to navigate life moving forward with three young children missing our rock. Prayers for guidance and next steps for all of us.'
He then directed the public to the online fundraiser to help with the children's medical expenses as he takes off from work.
It has already raised over $153,000 for the family and describes how Maggs' 'absence leaves a deep void in the hearts of all who knew her.'
But it also notes that 'Olivia is now in the arms of our Heavenly Father and reunited with her eldest brother, Christopher.'
She is now being remembered as a caring nurse, who has worked as a nurse at Parrish Medical Center in Titusville for nearly nine years, starting off in the Medical-Surgical Department before eventually working in the hospital's Women's Center.
In a tribute on Facebook, hospital officials wrote that she 'touched countless lives through her compassion and unwavering commitment' and noted that her 'warmth and love for children radiated through her work.'
'Olivia's kindness, strength and gentle spirit left a lasting impact on her patients, fellow Care Partners and everyone fortunate enough to know her,' the hospital wrote.
'Our hearts are with her family, friends and children during this unimaginable time. We are grieving alongside them and will forever carry her memory in our hearts.'
Hundreds of people have since commented on the post, including many women who shared their experiences of having Maggs as their nurse.
'You never forget the name and face of someone who made such a lasting impression on you,' one Facebook user wrote.
'For all three of my children's births at Parrish, Olivia was one of the most encouraging and supportive nurses,' she continued. 'She guided me through strapping my firstborn in his car seat as we had never done it before and I was so anxious.
'My heart is with her family and all who mourn her.'
'I just had my little ones two months ago and she was there for us, such a sweet soul, she wrote of Maggs. 'I cannot believe this.'
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