Mum’s hell after crash that killed family of 4
THE heartbroken mother of a woman killed in a horror smash that left four family members dead said yesterday: “She was my best friend.”
Nanette Drake lost her daughter Maryanne Stephenson, 29, in the Florida crash on Monday.
It also killed her son-in-law Adam Stephenson, 30, and his parents Sheralyn, 56, and Bryan, 59.
The family were on a holiday to celebrate Bryan's birthday when their hire car was hit by a Ford pick-up as Adam attempted a U-turn at a busy intersection. They all died at the scene.
The family's sat-nav is alleged to have ordered the U-turn.
Adam's brother Sean was the only member of the family to survive after he chose not to watch Elon Musk's SpaceX rocket launch at the Kennedy Space Centre.
He remained at the family's rented holiday home nearby.
Tragic
Last night Maryanne's heartbroken mother Nanette, 47, said: “She wasn't only my daughter. She was my best friend.”
Speaking from her home in Bristol, where she was being comforted by her sons, Nanette told how Maryanne and Adam had big plans.
She said: “They were doing really well for themselves. Life was just beginning for them. They were trying for a family.
“It's still not real. I can't believe I'm speaking about them in the third person.”
Maryanne, a human resources worker at a Bristol nursery, and Adam had been together for six years and married for three.
Friends have paid touching tributes to the family on social media.
Daniel Fry wrote: “So sad, Maryanne was a neighbour but good friend too whilst growing up.
“Thoughts are with all of her family right now, very sad.”
Chantelle Jenkins said: “RIP Maryanne, she was a lovely girl in school.
“So tragic, thoughts go out to her family at this sad time.”