Surviving daughter of Chunky Halloween crash slips to serious condition

The lone surviving daughter of Kristina Shaver, in fair condition Thursday morning, was downgraded to serious condition by the afternoon.

A truck struck a trailer carrying children and parents celebrating Halloween Monday night, killing Kristina “Tina” Shaver, 33, and her daughters Baylie Shaver, 8, and Brooklyn Shaver, 2.

Daughter McKenzie Shaver, 7, was in fair condition Thursday morning at The University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, where she had previously been in critical condition since Monday night. As of Thursday afternoon, McKenzie is in serious condition.

Melissa Cook, 32, and her son Brycen Cook, 3, were in good condition Thursday at UMMC. Melissa’s two daughters, Kaitlyn and Chloe, are also seeking treatment at UMMC. Kaitlyn was in fair condition on Wednesday but has downgraded to serious condition. Chloe, who had been in critical condition since Monday, has improved to serious condition.

In response to the crash, community members have rushed to support the families affected, both monetarily and through prayer.

A Gofundme, established by family friend Bridgett Hines Hitt, surpassed its $20,000 goal around 8 a.m. on Thursday. As of 4 p.m., the Gofundme had raised $22,880 for medical costs, memorial services and travel expenses and a new goal of $50,000 was set.

An account has been established for Terry and Linda Smith, grandparents of the children involved in the crash, at The Citizens Bank. The bank confirmed the account Thursday morning.

A donation through the bank can be made at any of the branches in Decatur, Meridian, Collinsville or Union. The bank said the best place to mail checks would be to the Decatur branch at P.O. Box 38, Decatur 39327.

Wednesday night the Chunky Baptist Church and Chunky Methodist United Church joined together to host a prayer service.

Baptist church pastor Matt Pittman reported that $4,275 had been collected in donations at the event. Pittman estimated that around 500 people came to the service.

Thursday morning, the student-led group Cougar Crusaders hosted a moment of meditation and prayer for the families affected at Newton County High School. Adam Smith, one of the victims, went to the school, the assistant principal Dawn Hollingsworth confirmed.

Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, located on Ridge Road in Chunky, will accept food donations for the family.

Nora Majure, treasurer of Mt. Pleasant, said they planned to feed the family after the funeral on Saturday in their fellowship hall.

Both of the grandparents and Melissa Cook have attended Mt. Pleasant for around 8 years, according to Majure.

“It’s just a show of the love that we have for them,” Majure said.

Funeral services for the Shavers are scheduled at the Newton County Funeral Home South on Saturday, with visitation from 10 a.m. to noon and a service at noon. Brother Matthew Hitt will officiate.

Mississippi Highway Patrol Staff Sgt. Andy West reported on Thursday that the investigation for the cause of the crash is still ongoing.

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