ROBERTSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A driver, allegedly under the influence, claimed the lives of two children in Robertson County Friday.
“Their personalities were one of a kind,” family friend Kaylee Pittman said.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) said Lukas Mansfield, 36, was with his 4-year-old son Jackson Mansfield and 7-year-old daughter Miah Mansfield when he swerved off Highway 161, striking a pole.
“Jackson [was] spunky and outgoing and Miah [was] just sassy and a princess,” Pittman added. “My kids were their best friends.”
Reports showed Miah and Jackson died at the scene; Lukas had allegedly been drinking. He was ultimately charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular homcide.
“It’s not supposed to go this way,” Pittman said. “You’re not supposed to bury your kids before you bury yourself.”
Court documents also showed Lukas has at least two other arrests for driving under the influence. As of publication, he’s jailed on a $1,550,000 bond. Pittman told News 2 Lukas shared custody of the children with their mother.
“Both sides have had a great deal of loss,” Pittman said. “His side of the family is grieving just as much as we are.”
A memorial marks the crash site where Miah and Jackson were killed.
“This really is just something no mother wants to go through,” Pittman said.
Miah and Jackson attended South Haven Christian School. The school released the following statement:
“It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we write to inform you of a tragic event that has deeply affected our school family. Yesterday evening, we lost two of our own, Miah Mansfield and her younger brother Jackson, two of our beloved students, who passed away following a tragic accident. Our hearts break for the family, and we ask for your prayers for the family during this incredibly difficult time.
In times like this, we are reminded of God’s great love and faithfulness, even when we face overwhelming grief. While we cannot fully understand the reasons behind such heartbreaking events, we can take comfort as the Scripture reminds us in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” Miah and Jackson were cherished members of SHCS, and their absence will be felt by all who knew them.
We invite you to join us in lifting up their family in prayer, asking for peace, comfort, and strength in this time of sorrow. We recognize that this news may raise difficult emotions and questions for students. We encourage you to talk to your child about this loss in an age-appropriate way. Our school and church counselors are here to assist in any way we can as you walk through this challenging moment with your child. Our faith in God helps us trust that, though we mourn, we are never without hope. May we all hold onto this truth as we navigate the days ahead.”
The community has raised more than $20,000 to go toward the children’s funeral expenses. You can follow this link to donate to a GoFundMe supporting Miah and Jackson’s family.
“We are so absolutely blessed and thankful for the community coming together for this mother who’s grieving,” Pittman said. “It’s such a terrible time.”
