Tragedy hits family again as four die in wreck
Mitzi Lott Nichols was sitting at home late last night when, for the second time this year, she learned about a devastating fatal car crash that hit too close to home.
Four of the five people killed late Monday during a car wreck on New Holland Road were family members.
The driver, Crystall Lyell, 26, of Heflin, Ala., was her niece.
The front-seat passenger, Michael Lott, 40, of Aiken, was her nephew.
The right-rear passenger, Joshua Lott, 18, of Aiken, was her great-nephew.
The rear-middle passenger in a child seat, 4-year-old Zachary Taylor of Heflin, Ala., was also a great-nephew.
A friend of the family, Mark Daniels, 33, of Windsor, was the left-rear passenger. He was also killed late Monday.
Lyell was the mother of Zachary and a cousin of Michael Lott. Joshua Lott was Michael's son.
Nichols, who recently lost her husband, Dr. Glenn Nichols Sr., following an April car crash in Allendale, said her close-knit family has had a lot to grieve for this year and typically bonds together through their struggles.
"You just have to be strong," she said. "You have to let your friends and family be there for you."
Several family members went to the crash site near Couchton the morning after the crash where they were seen picking up debris from the road, keeping items they recognized.
The crash occurred about 9:15 p.m. when the Saturn the family was riding in crossed the center line and struck a southbound Toyota pickup truck hauling farm equipment on a trailer, Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton said.
Lyell's vehicle went into a spin and was then struck by another southbound vehicle.
"When they called to tell me, I said to myself, 'you've got to be kidding me,'" Nichols reflected. "I haven't gotten to grieve for my husband fully."
She said she lay awake all night thinking about the loss of so many family members and the devastating crash that injured others.
The pickup truck struck by the Saturn was driven by Aiken resident Michael Whisnet. Both he and his front passenger, Sue Whisnet, also of Aiken, were taken to MCG where they were treated and released.
They were both wearing seat belts, officials said.
The third vehicle was driven by Christopher Head of Windsor. He was said to be in good condition at MCG.
He was also wearing a seat belt.
Mary Annie Wienbeck, Nichols' sister, said her niece and nephew were happy-go-lucky and loved to be outside.
They were on their way back from Bruster's Bridge where they had been swimming when the tragic car crash occurred, Wienbeck said.
"You read about this type of thing where people lose their entire family and you just don't understand how they do it," Wienbeck said. "Now we know."
Toxicology is pending; however, alcohol is suspected as a causal factor in this crash, Carlton said.
The speed in the area is posted at 55 mph. State troopers have not released the speed of the vehicles.
Contact Karen Daily at kdaily@aikenstandard.com