I-66 Crash Kills Mother, Child In PWC As Family Returns From Vacation

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — Tragedy struck a Virginia family when a mother and child were killed in a crash on Interstate 66 last Friday, June 21. Three other people in the vehicle had injuries, including a 3-month-old infant, and two people in the striking vehicle were injured.

Virginia State Police said the crash happened 2:29 p.m. on westbound I-66 at the 46 mile marker, which is near the exit for Route 234 in Prince William County. The Akers family's disabled 2019 Hyundai Tucson was pulled onto the right shoulder when an Isuzu NPR HD truck struck it, according to state police. The Tuscon struck the jersey wall and was pushed about 400 feet along the shoulder.

Krystal Akers, 27, of Dublin, Virginia, and an 11-year-old girl, died from their injuries at a hospital.

The Tuscon driver, Greggory S. Akers, 51, of Dublin, Virginia, and a 3-month-old infant in the vehicle were seriously injured. A fourth passenger in the Tucson, Tammy Akers, 55, had minor injuries.

The Isuzu truck driver, Anthony A.J. David, 26, of Hyattsville, Maryland, had minor injuries, and passenger Joshua L. Hankey, 23, had serious injuries. Charges are pending, according to state police.

A GoFundMe fundraiser identified the family in the Tuscon as Tammy Akers and her husband Greg Akers, along with their daughter Krystal Akers and Krystal's children Angel and Karter. The Akers family had been returning from vacation when the crash happened.

After the crash, the 3-month-old Karter had brain trauma surgery, and his condition is steadily improving, according to the GoFundMe Greg Akers had broken ribs and vertebrae in his back, and Tammy Akers had severe bruising from the crash.

The fundraiser, started by Cassandra Phillips of Pulaski, said the Akers family is in need of support for medical and funeral expenses. Krystal Akers and her daughter Angel did not have life insurance. According to the fundraiser, Greg Akers is expected to need time off work due to the injuries and time to grieve the family's losses.

"Krystal was an amazing mother to her babies, Angel was just a baby herself, set to start middle school this upcoming school year," Phillips shared in the fundraiser. "Both had a relationship with God and watching [Angel's] testimonies would bring a tear to your eyes and you could see how devoted she was to the Lord."

Phillips shared an update Tuesday that the family appreciates support from the fundraiser.

"Tammy said Karter was climbing all over him, Greg is still really sore and in pain so they did have to cut the visit short but things are improving for both," Phillips wrote. "[The] family is just in awe with the support they have been shown and [cannot] express how grateful they are."

State police are continuing to investigate the fatal crash.