Car wash raises burial funds for three killed in Coweta County crash

Those close to the three Columbus natives killed in Friday night’s interstate crash in Coweta County were shedding tears of joy Wednesday afternoon as the community showed encouragement and support to the family.

Motorists lined up at the Columbus Fairbanks Motors Inc. at 3200 Victory Drive to get their vehicles washed in exchange for donations to the burial funds for 35-year-old Nikia Wilson and 33-year-old Kayla Wilson and her 7-year-old daughter Denyla Biggers, all who were ejected from the vehicle and died in the crash on Interstate 85 in Palmetto, Ga. Among the four surviving wreck victims sent to Egleston Children’s Hospital for treatment was Nikia’s son.

“I didn’t think we had a community like this anymore,” said Annie Crawford, Biggers’ grandmother. “But after looking at this today, I’m so grateful. It’s really nice.”

The event, which brought in $1,500 in cash and pledges by 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, was a collaborative effort of the victims’ loved ones, Fairbanks Motors Inc. and biker groups Southern Connections and Chosen Riders. Quarterri “Trey” Crawford, Biggers’ father and Kayla Wilson’s fiancée, is a member of Chosen Riders.

Misty Sablan cried as she described how grateful she is that the community provided an “overwhelming” amount of support to the family, which is also accepting donations on the Gofundme page titled, “Burial Assistance Request- Kayla W.”

“We appreciate everyone that’s coming out,” said Sablan, who confirmed that the car wash will continue at the same used car dealership from 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday.

Annie Crawford said life has been tough for her family since they learned their three loved ones were killed when the SUV they were traveling in Friday night struck a median wall on I-85. The SUV rolled over several times.

The wreck, which also injured other four people, occurred during heavy rains, officials noted.

Since the incident, the family has clung to the pleasant memories they have of Nikia Wilson, her sister Kayla Wilson and Biggers. Annie Crawford said she treated Kayla Wilson, who was engaged to her son, and the other deceased victims like they were family.

“We were always doing things as a family like go to the car lot, cook out and have little dinners,” she said with a smile. “We would also have some fun.”

This story was originally published April 6, 2016 at 5:58 PM with the headline "Car wash raises burial funds for three killed in Coweta County crash."