Nationwide — A devastating tragedy struck a southwest Atlanta neighborhood early Saturday morning when a large tree crashed by way of the roof of a household’s house, killing 10-year-old A’erica Shukai Dixon whereas she slept. The incident occurred round 3:30 a.m. on Mims Road close to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, following highly effective storms that swept by way of metro Atlanta and north Georgia. A’erica, affectionately often known as “Tink,” was in mattress along with her grandmother when the tree fell, inflicting catastrophic harm.In response to 11 Alive, six folks have been inside the house when the tree collapsed, together with A’erica, her mom, grandmother, and three siblings. Each her mom and 63-year-old grandmother have been taken to the hospital with severe accidents. Members of the family say the grandmother suffered a crushed pelvis and now faces paralysis in a single leg. A’erica’s mom needed to be sedated after experiencing excessive shock.
The kid’s 14-year-old sister, Akiylah Dixon, recounted the heartbreaking second she realized she couldn’t rescue her youthful sister. “There was a gap within the ceiling. The tree was in between them, and my sister was caught contained in the mattress,” she mentioned tearfully. “We couldn’t get her out or nothing, and I simply noticed her not speaking.” The household has launched a GoFundMe marketing campaign to assist cowl funeral bills.
Family members say that they had beforehand expressed issues in regards to the security of the tree. A big department reportedly snapped off throughout Hurricane Helene in 2023, almost hitting the household’s SUV. In response to member of the family Erica Melson, that they had notified the owner in regards to the hazard, and somebody had initially arrived to evaluate the state of affairs. Nonetheless, the tree was by no means eliminated. “They have been supposed to return again and minimize the entire total tree down,” Melson mentioned. “Nobody ever got here again.”
Officers have since contacted the American Pink Cross to offer help for the displaced household, who are actually mourning the lack of a brilliant and joyful youngster. A’erica was identified for her love of dancing, cheering, taking part in with toys, and making TikTok movies. Her cousin, Tomeka Dixon, described her as a “very completely happy youngster” who had been grieving the lack of her father, who handed away two years in the past. “Her dying was sudden, and now we’ve to ask for assist,” she wrote on the household’s fundraising web page.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp issued a press release on Saturday morning, expressing condolences to A’erica’s household. The owner has but to answer a number of inquiries in regards to the security complaints filed earlier than the incident. Because the neighborhood grieves, A’erica’s reminiscence lives on within the hearts of those that cherished her, and the household continues to hunt accountability and help throughout this painful time.
