The parents of a college student tragically died in a highway accident while traveling in North Carolina to help their son settle into school. The incident also left his younger siblings injured.
Nanny, a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, was anxiously waiting for her family’s arrival when she heard news of the severe crash. “When I got there, I really thought they were gone,” she recalled. She described the scene, noting how terrifying the expression on the officer’s face was as she remained in her car.
The accident took place on Friday, August 15th, around 1:18 PM as the family was leaving their hotel for lunch.
Authorities reported that the family’s vehicle collided with a number of trees before tipping over and hitting a larger tree. Nanny, who had been tracking her sister’s phone, noticed her sibling’s location hadn’t changed, prompting her to rush to the scene with a friend.
In the accident, Maria Nanny, 50, who was seated in the passenger side, was declared dead at the scene, while her husband, Donald Nanny, 55, succumbed to his injuries later at the hospital. Their younger children, aged 9 and 15, survived but sustained serious injuries.
After processing the devastating loss of both parents, Nanny felt it was essential to focus on the healing process for herself and her siblings. She mentioned that her younger brother had multiple fractures and was placed on a ventilator for a time but has since shown improvement, and her sister is also recovering.
“Focusing on their progress really helped me mentally,” Nanny shared, though she admitted she hasn’t fully grasped the magnitude of her parents’ deaths yet. She emphasized the need to allow herself time to heal.
As the investigation into the crash continues, Nanny expressed that her family had planned a special day on campus, which was supposed to be a joyful experience before they returned to Ohio. They intended to visit a filming location for a show that her sister enjoyed, but unfortunately, that plan never materialized.
Community members have come together in support, as Maria and Donald Nanny were well-loved educators in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Shari Oblensky, a union chairman, reflected on their immense contributions and how their loss has deeply affected everyone around them.
Just hours after the tragic event, staff members and relatives from UNC began to mobilize assistance for the surviving family members. A GoFundMe page launched to support them has already raised over $350,000.
As the academic year at UNC commenced on August 18th, Nanny made the difficult decision to take a break from her studies to care for her siblings but remains committed to finishing her degree, believing that it’s what her parents would have wanted.
In remembrance, Nanny reflected on the last moments she shared with her parents, noting how significant it felt for them to view her as an adult for the first time.
