The family of the woman who died in Monday morning’s fiery crash on Parkway East said she was driving home from her night job, then heading to her day job. The family of Keturah Griffin says they are still in shock as they try to process her sudden death. They told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reporter Felicity Taylor they wanted to speak because talking helps and because they want people to know who Griffin was beyond the way she died.”I look for every opportunity to thank her and let her know. Just because you’re my oldest child, it doesn’t mean I don’t love you. I do love you. You’re my oldest, and you’re not forgotten,” her mother, Ayesha Scott, said. Griffin had just turned 40 last month.Her son, 23-year-old Xyveire Hickman, described her as the glue of the family. “She came through, she ride or die,” he said. “She would die for me, she would die for her daughter.”The crash on the Parkway State police say the crash happened around 5:30 a.m. Griffin was driving home from her night-shift job and planned to take her daughter to school before heading to her day job when her car broke down on the Parkway East. She pulled over with her hazard lights on and stayed inside the vehicle.Investigators say a pickup truck driver attempted to change lanes and crashed into the disabled car. The impact set the vehicle on fire.The truck’s driver immediately got out and tried to pull Griffin from the burning car. Two Pittsburgh police detectives who happened to be driving by also tried to help.Her son saw the fire“I got the call, you know, that her car broke down on the parkway, and she called me to come get her, and I went down,” Hickman said. “I was right there, face to face. But I was like, I’m on the other side. I can’t get over there, they closed everything. I can see the car with my own two eyes. It was tragic.” He is now trying to stay strong for his 8-year-old sister, who is struggling to understand what happened. The family also lost an uncle last year and a grandfather over the weekend.Family friend Jody Miller said the girl texted her mother’s phone shortly before they spoke with Pittsburgh’s Action News 4. “She just texted her mom about five minutes ago on her phone and said, ‘Mommy, I miss you. I hope you’re still alive,’” Miller said. “She really doesn’t understand what’s going on. But when I came today, we found this little placard on Keturah’s computer, and it just says, ‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not burden or harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”Family mourns the loss of beloved mother, daughterThe family says they are leaning heavily on prayer and sharing a message for others.“Cherish the family,” Hickman said. “Make sure you keep them safe because you don’t know the next time you’ll see them again.”Griffin is remembered as a hardworking woman who supported her family in every way she could. Just one day before the crash, she bought the turkey for Thanksgiving.“She really knows what to do on holidays and birthdays,” Scott said. “Meeting the goal, helping with rent and everything like that. I’m going to miss her.” State police say no arrests or citations have been issued. Investigators believe lack of visibility was the major factor in the crash.
PITTSBURGH —
The family of the woman who died in Monday morning’s fiery crash on Parkway East said she was driving home from her night job, then heading to her day job.
The family of Keturah Griffin says they are still in shock as they try to process her sudden death. They told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reporter Felicity Taylor they wanted to speak because talking helps and because they want people to know who Griffin was beyond the way she died.
“I look for every opportunity to thank her and let her know. Just because you’re my oldest child, it doesn’t mean I don’t love you. I do love you. You’re my oldest, and you’re not forgotten,” her mother, Ayesha Scott, said.
Griffin had just turned 40 last month.
Her son, 23-year-old Xyveire Hickman, described her as the glue of the family.
“She came through, she ride or die,” he said. “She would die for me, she would die for her daughter.”
The crash on the Parkway
State police say the crash happened around 5:30 a.m. Griffin was driving home from her night-shift job and planned to take her daughter to school before heading to her day job when her car broke down on the Parkway East. She pulled over with her hazard lights on and stayed inside the vehicle.
Investigators say a pickup truck driver attempted to change lanes and crashed into the disabled car. The impact set the vehicle on fire.
The truck’s driver immediately got out and tried to pull Griffin from the burning car. Two Pittsburgh police detectives who happened to be driving by also tried to help.
Her son saw the fire
“I got the call, you know, that her car broke down on the parkway, and she called me to come get her, and I went down,” Hickman said. “I was right there, face to face. But I was like, I’m on the other side. I can’t get over there, they closed everything. I can see the car with my own two eyes. It was tragic.”
He is now trying to stay strong for his 8-year-old sister, who is struggling to understand what happened. The family also lost an uncle last year and a grandfather over the weekend.
Family friend Jody Miller said the girl texted her mother’s phone shortly before they spoke with Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.
“She just texted her mom about five minutes ago on her phone and said, ‘Mommy, I miss you. I hope you’re still alive,’” Miller said. “She really doesn’t understand what’s going on. But when I came today, we found this little placard on Keturah’s computer, and it just says, ‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not burden or harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
Family mourns the loss of beloved mother, daughter
The family says they are leaning heavily on prayer and sharing a message for others.
“Cherish the family,” Hickman said. “Make sure you keep them safe because you don’t know the next time you’ll see them again.”
Griffin is remembered as a hardworking woman who supported her family in every way she could. Just one day before the crash, she bought the turkey for Thanksgiving.
“She really knows what to do on holidays and birthdays,” Scott said. “Meeting the goal, helping with rent and everything like that. I’m going to miss her.”
State police say no arrests or citations have been issued. Investigators believe lack of visibility was the major factor in the crash.