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Published: 2009-08-20 10:56:00
Updated: 2009-08-20 19:00:58

Tree collapse leaves woman to raise children alone


Woman recounts tree's collapse
Woman recounts tree's collapse
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Brandy Donovan lost her boyfriend, the father of her unborn child, Wednesday afternoon when the car they were traveling in was crushed by a falling tree.

Donovan, 25, of Garner, was on the way to a friend’s house with her boyfriend, DeJuan Green, 21, of Garner, and another man, John Wolff, 32, of Raleigh.

As they drove down Old Stage Road in southern Wake County, they saw a tree start to fall.

"The tree just came down. We couldn't speed up or nothing. It came down so fast and it completely stopped the car," Donovan said.

Green died at the scene, Trooper Eric Hunt said. Wolff was trapped inside the car. Paramedics were able to get him out and and take him to WakeMed, where he was treated and released.

Donovan said she clawed her way out of the car, then ran to check on Green. "The tree is laying on him," she said. "The whole car is busted in."

The couple, who have a six-month-old daughter, was expecting a second child next year.

Green’s death leaves Donovan a single parent two times over. Her first husband died in 2007 as a result of a single-car crash, she said. They had four children. She is left to care for her unborn child and her five other children alone.

"He didn't deserve to die this way," she said of Green. "He was too young."

Tests show the baby survived the accident and has a strong heartbeat. Donovan had a cut on her head and hands from her escape from the car. Doctors had her lying flat Thursday while they worked to determine the extent of her injuries. WakeMed listed her in good condition.


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RB, the children will still get SS benefits. Marrying him has nothing to do with that..

I am sorry for her loss, but had she married the father of her child and child-to-be, perhaps there would be benefits she could take advantage of to take care of them.

When she decided to have children outside of marriage, she took that chance, and now most likely, her children will pay for that one way or the other.

Praying for the children.

God bless.

RB

For those who are suggesting donating money, be careful. We actually know very little about these people. We don't even know if the five children she has currently live with her or someone else. How has she been supporting them (difficult to work when you have 5 children). Deaths are always tragedies and I'm not saying this one isn't, just that maybe you shouldn't give money to people you don't know when you may not know the entire situation. There are a lot of people out there who can use help.

The car insurance company will more than likely give a nice payout as well.

Professor - Is there extra SS benefits if you die young and leave kids? Because I can't imagine that he's eligible for much benefits otherwise, since they are based on your past taxed earnings and he was only 21.

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