Roxboro community remembers 2 girls killed in South Carolina crash
ROXBORO, N.C. (WTVD) -- More than 250 people came together Friday evening to honor two Person County girls killed in a Myrtle Beach crash earlier this week.
A vigil was held at Huck Sansbury Park in Roxboro for 9-year-old Skyler Emore and 11-year-old Dakota Shepherd.
A fundraiser has been started online to help the victims' families. Click here to donate.
"It's probably one of the toughest things I've had to deal with," said Dakota's cousin, Tony Mills. "Dakota was the most loving child that I've ever been around. She was a beautiful little girl outside, but there was a whole lot more beauty on the inside."
Dakota and Skyler were cousins. Dakota was a member of the of the Sappony Tribe.
The girls were with their families on vacation in Myrtle Beach when the South Carolina Highway Patrol said the car they were in collided with another vehicle. The girls were sitting in the back seat. They died at the scene from internal injuries.
Neil DeJean is facing two counts of reckless homicide. He is also accused of having an open alcohol container in his car. When he was arraigned, a prosecutor said the 47-year-old Louisiana man asked about the condition of his Mercedes after the crash.
"Impaired drivers, they are so selfish. They don't care about anybody but themselves," said Person County MADD President Ollie Jeffers. "If you're going to drink, then don't drive because you know lives are changed every day. Lives are shattered. Dreams are broken every day. My heart goes out to the families."
The family said the community's support is helping them through the difficult time.
"I didn't know the girls, but it is a sad situation. But I'm here to support whoever needs support," said Roxboro resident Nicki Dilley.
"This incident didn't just affect two families. It affected a community. That's the only thing that's going to get the family through it -- this community and faith from the good Lord above," said Milos.
Funeral arrangements for the victims have not yet been made.
