"Samantha was going to be a fantastic mother. She always had everything planned out and ready to go," shared a heartbroken Brandon, as he held their son, Mac.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on July 14, 2021. It has since been updated.
Brandon and Samantha Russell were over the moon when they found out they were having a lovely baby boy, but their dreams of becoming parents were cut short when Samantha died in a car crash. She was 33-weeks pregnant when a robber fleeing from the Wichita cops rammed into her vehicle. According to PEOPLE, Samantha was waiting at an intersection to make a u-turn when the robber, driving a truck, ran a red traffic light and slammed into her car around 5 pm, on July 6, 2021.
There were three other vehicles involved in the crash, but only Samantha didn't make it, per Kansas Highway Patrol.
The truck that crashed into Samantha's car was allegedly driven by 37-year-old Javan Ervin. "One of our officers got behind [the white truck] and attempted to pursue, but it was quickly disregarded by the supervisor," Capt. Paul Duff told KAKE. "The officer immediately turned around and went back to help the original officer who was taking the other robbery suspect."
Eventually, Ervin was arrested and taken into custody, on charges of first-degree murder in commission of a felony, aggravated battery, and criminal possession of a firearm. This is not the first time he has been arrested. His criminal record shows multiple prior convictions, including one for aggravated battery and four others for robbery. He has allegedly been in and out of prison since 2004 and was only released in June this year.
Just a day after Brandon lost his wife, he took to Facebook to share (in a now-deleted post) that the couple's baby was delivered prematurely. "Words cannot explain or express the emotions going through everyone's head today in light of the events that took place on July 6th, 2021 at around 5:30CST," Brandon wrote. "Sammy was taken from us, but left behind the most beautiful gift of life."
"Samantha was going to be a fantastic mother. She always had everything planned out and ready to go. She was driven and the hardest worker I knew. She always ALWAYS knew what to say when I was going through an issue or needed advice. She was the best person to know. From her bubbly attitude and being all over the place to her knowing when it was couch-thirty and time to watch Netflix. She was an all-around good person who did not deserve to die on impact from a reckless driver."
He continued, "She was the best example of what it looks like to be happy. She showed happiness to everyone and anyone that she knew. She will always be my wife and the person I turn to when I need advice or to ask another one of my dumb questions. I love you, Samantha Russell. You are everything to me."
It's definitely not going to be easy on Brandon, to raise their child, Mac, alone, but he will also make sure Mac will always love and cherish Samantha, even though he's never met her. Friends and family of the couple have started a GoFundMe page for the family.
References:
https://www.kansas.gov/khp-crashlogs/search/viewDetail/2021-008163
Cover Image Source: Facebook | With permission from Brandon Russell
