The young family has faced the harshness of death while raising two small children, leaving the mother to navigate single parenthood.
A Tennessee family’s weekend ended in unimaginable tragedy after a devastating crash on I-75 in East Ridge on Sunday, May 11. Lane Smith, 23, of Fayetteville, lost his life when the Jeep he was driving was involved in a fiery multi-vehicle collision.
His wife, Baleigh, and their two young children, Brynlee and Sawyer Smith, were critically injured in the accident. The family had been in Chattanooga for Brynlee’s dance competition and was on their way home when the crash occurred.
According to East Ridge Police Chief Clint Uselton, the collision also claimed the life of 61-year-old David “Jeff” Huggins of Dawsonville, Georgia, who was driving a Ford F-150. Dash camera footage from the Tennessee Department of Transportation showed a fireball at the scene, though it was too distant to capture the full extent of the crash.
Baleigh and Sawyer were hospitalized in Chattanooga. Sadly, Sawyer, who was just two months away from turning two died from injuries sustained in the wreck. Meanwhile Brynlee was airlifted to Nashville for specialized treatment. Brynlee and Baleigh face a long and difficult recovery.
Chief Uselton praised the good Samaritans who stepped in during the crucial moments after the crash. One of them recounted the scene, “We came up on the tail end of the crash. It had already happened, and we saw that there was smoke and flames that the car had caught fire. I think two of them did, and traffic started to slow down.”
Jennifer Collett’s daughter, Larissa, was among the brave individuals who rushed toward the wreckage to assist the victims. Trained as a nurse, Larissa felt compelled to act when she realized she could put her skills to use.
Although Jennifer initially urged her to stay in the car, concerned for her safety, she ultimately stepped aside as her daughter joined others calling for water and fire extinguishers. Jennifer later reflected that those who helped at the scene risked their own lives in hopes of saving others.
“It was happening really fast, a lot of adrenaline. There were men yanking at the door, trying to, like, move the metal. They were getting scratched. They were getting burned, while anyone else that was free was dumping water on the flames to save time till we could get them out,” Larissa narrated.
Despite the chaos and confusion of the moment, Larissa knew she had to do whatever she could to help. “She was really shaken up, as anyone would be, and so I was kind of holding her up with some other women that were there,” she said, recalling how she and others focused on comforting victims while others worked to free people trapped in the wreckage.
When Larissa returned to the car after assisting at the crash scene, she and others who had stepped in to help were visibly shaken. Many had blood on them, and they remained at the scene for over an hour until authorities began directing traffic again. The drive home was somber and silent, the weight of what had just happened settling in.
Meanwhile, police have charged the driver of the tractor-trailer involved in the deadly crash. Joseph Antoinier, 65, is facing multiple charges, including two counts of reckless homicide. He also faces several counts of felony reckless endangerment and reckless aggravated assault in connection with the incident.
According to the arrest report, witnesses observed the semi-truck swerving between lanes and driving erratically before the crash. Surveillance footage later confirmed that the vehicle was speeding and failed to brake as traffic slowed ahead, leading to a devastating chain reaction collision.Public records show that Valparaiso Trucking Corp, the company Joseph was working for at the time of the crash, has faced citations this year for violations committed by its drivers.
Although the truck bore Amazon branding, a spokesperson clarified that the driver was not directly employed by Amazon. Instead, the delivery was being carried out under contract by Valparaiso Trucking Corp, a Florida-based company.
The company’s owner emphasized that his drivers are all owner-operators who use their own trucks and operate independently. He noted that while some of his drivers may have minor infractions on record, Antoinier had years of driving experience and was expected to act responsibly on the road.
In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support the Smith family with mounting medical bills and funeral expenses for Lane. The fundraiser, organized by Kayla, encourages people to donate whatever they can or to offer prayers and support during this heartbreaking time.
As of the time of publication, $85,174 of the $100,000 goal had been raised through the GoFundMe campaign. All contributions will go directly to Lane’s immediate family.
Condolences have also poured in following the tragic loss of Lane. Among those mourning is Melissa Hale Raby, a family friend, who shared heartfelt videos and photos of cherished moments spent with the Smiths. Alongside the memories, she expressed her grief and affection for Lane, noting how deeply he is missed by those who knew and loved him.
