INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A heartbreaking update in a wrong-way crash on Florida’s Turnpike: a 3-year-old boy who was critically injured has now died, according to his family.
Family members say the child, Kylo, was declared dead at 9:02 a.m. on Thursday following the crash that also killed his mother, 26-year-old Lauren Rogers of Fort Pierce.
Florida Highway Patrol said the crash happened around 10:05 p.m. on May 9, near mile marker 173.5, when Rogers was driving a white 2025 Kia K4 southbound in the northbound inside lane of the Turnpike.
Troopers say her car collided head-on with a northbound 2023 Chrysler Pacifica, triggering a chain-reaction crash involving a third vehicle.
Rogers was pronounced dead at the scene. Her two children were in the vehicle at the time — 5-year-old Korbin who survived with non-life-threatening injuries and Kylo, who was initially listed in critical condition.
A close friend of Rogers, Alexa June Baker, talked about her experience with Rogers and her children.
“With her and her kids, she was very present with the way that the kids were talking, what they liked, how they thought, what they wanted. She would give them everything,” said Baker.
Family members say the child, Kylo, was declared dead at 9:02 a.m. on Thursday following the crash that also killed his mother, 26-year-old Lauren Rogers of Fort Pierce. (Photo credit: GoFundMe)
The family confirmed with CBS12’s Jack Wu Kylo’s death. They also say Rogers is in the process of being cremated.
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Rogers’ father previously described her devotion to her children, saying, “They were her life. That was her life.”
The crash injured several others, including the driver of the Chrysler — a 22-year-old man — and three passengers, though their injuries were not life-threatening, according to FHP.
“She deserves to be remembered for her beauty, her smile. The way that she took care of Korbin and Kylo. The way that she did everything for her family, even at a young age, and just helping people,” Baker said.
A candlelight memorial service has been scheduled to honor Lauren Rogers. According to a memorial flyer shared by loved ones, the service will take place Saturday, May 16, at 6 p.m. at the Fort Pierce Jetty, located at 2098 Seaway Drive in Fort Pierce.
The flyer invites family, friends and community members to gather “to remember and celebrate the beautiful life of Lauren,” adding that “her light, love, and laughter will forever shine in our hearts.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own candles “to light in remembrance and honor of Lauren’s life, taken far too soon.”
The incident remains under investigation, and a full traffic homicide report is expected within 90 days.