Dariana Styles

This heartbreak has been at the forefront of my mind today. I’ve been speaking with a lot of residents and answering news reporters’ questions… and trying to wrap my head around it in the meantime.

News of this tragedy is hitting our community hard. And these beautiful young adults and their beautiful babies were kin to a number of our neighbors. You should not have to bear this pain and I am so, so profoundly sad that this fresh wound will be a scar on your hearts.

Here’s what we know: Four Pontiac residents were killed as they waited in their car on the side of I-75 southbound in northern Oakland County. Two 24-year-olds and their beautiful young children all were taken senselessly. The driver of the black Chevy Silverado barreled into them at extremely high speed after reportedly driving aggressively and at dangerously high speeds through the construction zone.

When I first read about this insane, intense crash I didn’t yet know the Pontiac connection, but it already had rattled me. The description and the images coming from the crash scene were so jarring that it was haunting me long after reading about it. And then we learned it was a Pontiac family that were the victims.

Pontiac City Council President Adrian Austin said it well when he wrote about the tragedy: “Today our city is grieving together as we confront the magnitude of this tragedy and the loss of four precious lives. To the family we hold their loved ones in our hearts, and we stand ready to support them in every way possible. No words can ease the pain of such a sudden and devastating loss, but we offer our prayers, our solidarity, and our commitment to honoring this family with dignity and compassion.”

Members of the family put out this graphic I post here. I ask that we respect their appeal for time to process the unthinkable. They have also put out a fundraiser to assist with homegoing costs. I’ll add the GoFundMe link in the comments. They included these reflections:

“Our hearts are shattered as we mourn the unimaginable loss of four beloved family members: Tieree, Zakiera, Malani, and Carter.

“Tieree was a devoted father whose greatest joy was spending time with his children. He worked hard to provide for his family and was known for his love, dedication, and unwavering commitment to those he cherished. Zakiera was a loving and nurturing mother who devoted her life to raising her beautiful children with compassion, strength, and unconditional love.

“On July 2, their lives were tragically cut short when they were killed by an alleged drunk driver on I-75 while returning home from a day of taking their children on a swimming outing. What should have been a day filled with family fun and cherished memories ended in an unimaginable tragedy that has forever changed the lives of everyone who loved them.

“We are asking for your support during this heartbreaking time. Every donation, no matter the amount, will help provide: Funeral and memorial services for Tieree, Zakiera, Malani, and Carter. Burial expenses. Other unforeseen financial obligations resulting from this devastating loss.

“If you are unable to give financially, we ask that you please keep our family in your prayers and share this fundraiser with others.

“Your kindness, compassion, and generosity will help ease the burden on a family facing the unimaginable.”

Please pray for this family. Please pray for Pontiac, as these were neighbors, coworkers, schoolmates, friends that we’ve been robbed of so prematurely.

I’ve got a lot of strong opinions about the reckless drivers who robbed us of this Pontiac family… and the Pontiac mother and her beautiful sons killed last year at Joslyn & Montcalm. But today I’ll focus on this beautiful family gone far too soon, and on their surviving family.

An immediate family member of the victims works for the City of Pontiac, and I’ve known the extended family for years now; I wrap my arms and my heart around them. Your city colleagues and I are here for you. May God guide your steps and comfort your broken heart now and in the difficult days ahead.

Hermosa 💐🩵

Some of this weeks work still taking clients for today ! 💛

Availability this week come visit us and leave feeling glamorous ✨

Citas disponible esta semana venga a visitarnos y va terminar encantado con su nuevo look ✨

https://getsqr.co/dariana-garduno