Town of Whitman plans vigil to honor family who lost four members in Florida car crash

WHITMAN, Mass. — Firefighters and police in Whitman are gearing up for large crowds to honor a local family who lost four of their own to a horrific crash this week in Florida.

The vigil for the Fay and Smith families is planned for Friday night at Whitman Middle School.

In a community where the families were well-known, many are coming together to mourn such a tragic loss.

A family whose son played soccer with 11-year-old Jackson Smith was in tears as they spoke about what happened. While they understandably did not want to speak on camera, they decorated a fence near where the vigil will be held with the family’s name. They also said a prayer as they kept the lives lost in their hearts and minds.

On Thursday, surviving members of the Fay and Smith families issued a statement that said:

“The Fay/Smith Families greatly appreciate the outpouring of support and prayers as we process the events of this horrific tragedy. We are truly heartbroken. Among the many individuals, groups, and organizations who have assisted during this difficult time, we wanted to highlight the efforts of the first responders in Orlando, the medical staff at the Orlando Regional Medical Center and the Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital, Disney, JetBlue, TSA, and the Massachusetts State Police. We also want to thank the Hartman Family who assisted in Orlando. We continue to grieve for the loss of our loved ones. Thank you for your outpouring of kindness.”

Vigil planned in Whitman to honor 4 family members killed in Florida crash A vigil is planned in Whitman to honor four family members who were killed in a crash in Florida.

The crash happened on Tuesday night along a highway in Orlando when the family’s rental van, carrying eight people, was rear-ended by a pickup truck. The impact from the pickup truck flipped the van onto its side, forcing first responders to help get some of the victims out.

The eight passengers of the van consisted of a mother, father, grandparents and four siblings, including a set of five-year-old twins.

Scarlett Smith, 5, Jackson Smith, 11, Julie Smith, 41, and Josephine Fay, 76, died in the crash, authorities said. The Smith family is from Whitman and the Fays are from South Weymouth.

The accident report initially said Jackson was in critical condition, but by Wednesday afternoon he had been pronounced dead at the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando. Two other children — Shalie Smith, 10, and Skyler Smith, 5 — were not injured in the crash, but the report said they were taken to the hospital for monitoring.

Driver Shane Smith, 43, and passenger William Fay, 76, were taken to an Orlando hospital in stable condition.

All the occupants in the car had been wearing seat belts, the crash report shows. It is unclear if Shane Smith had been wearing one.

The report said charges are pending against the pickup truck’s driver Lucas Dos Reis Laurindo, 26, of Kissimmee. The blood sample he voluntarily provided is being tested but authorities do not believe he was impaired.

All four of the Smith family children attended Merry Deb Child Care in Whitman. A worker told us the family was excited about their trip to Disney World and had been talking about it for weeks. Scarlett and her twin sister were currently going to the day care, while the other children were in public schools in Whitman.

Community mourns family killed in Florida crash Friends and family in Whitman and Weymouth are heartbroken after four members of the Smith and Fay families were killed in a four-vehicle crash on Tuesday, Feb 18, during a visit to Florida.

On Thursday night, neighbors of the Smith family placed candles on their doorsteps in solidarity as the community grieves this immense loss.

Friends of the victims came out to decorate the soccer field at Whitman Middle School as they prepare for the candlelit vigil tomorrow night.

Whitman-Hanson school officials announced on Wednesday they would have grief counselors and support for the students throughout the week, despite the school being closed for February break.

On Friday, grief counselors will be available for students over at Hanson Middle School on Friday from 10 a.m. until noon.

The police department is expecting large crowds to attend the vigil tomorrow at 7 p.m., but, since parking may be limited, they’re asking people to carpool and be patient with the extra traffic.

Editor’s Note: A previous version of the story said the vigil was at Whitman Elementary School. The vigil will be held at Whitman Middle School.

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