Kent, WA : Man and woman killed and an infant injured in a car crash on Canyon Drive near Weiland Street on Sunday night, March 13, 2016

A young couple was almost home when their car was T-boned, killing both of them Sunday night in Kent.

The boyfriend and girlfriend, both 20-years old, died at the scene while trying to make a left turn onto Weidland Avenue from Canyon Drive, police said. The driver's young son, a toddler, survived the crash and remains hospitalized. Police said his car seat saved his life.

The 2-year old is expected to be okay, but police said he has cuts on his head.

"Right now I'm still in disbelief, I don't know, it is God that is carrying me right now," said Shevelle Chapman.

Shevelle's 20-year-old daughter Jasmarae, better known to the family and friends as Jazzy, had just texted her mom saying the trio was five minutes away from her Kent home.

"We texted that we loved each other," Shevelle said.

It wasn't until a police chaplain showed up at her door later that night that Shevelle learned Jazzy and her daughter's boyfriend Justin were killed, and that Justin's 2-year-old son, "Little Z," was hurt and hospitalized.

Police said the couple died at the scene, shortly after the 7:30 p.m. collision.

"I know she has her sweetheart with her, and her brother. And I know that she is happy, I know she is happy," said Shevelle, surrounded by friends and family, as tears streamed down her face.

Shevelle said her daughter desperately missed her older brother Jovelle, a teen who collapsed of a heart condition in their home three years ago.

"They were my rock. At times I felt like giving up they were reason to keep going. So many times I wanted to give up but I just couldn't," said the single mom of three.

She said now she has to stay strong for her youngest son.

"Being a single mom it's always been just me and my three kids," she said.

All police know at this point is that the couple was turning left onto Weiland Avenue from Canyon Drive in Kent when they were t-boned by an SUV. It was dark and the roads were wet after Sunday's storms.

Shevelle, still in disbelief, said God is carrying her right now.

"The beautiful thing is while I'm hurting, I can't cry that long, God dries my tears, I know the truth she's fine, she's fine," Shevelle said.

Everyone in the family now wants to understand the chain of events that claimed such young lives.

Kent Police are still investigating the cause, but say preliminary findings reveal nothing unusual -- no erratic driving, no alcohol and no drugs appear to be involved.

A police spokesman said the SUV driver crashed into the couple and his investigators are working on piecing together the mechanics of the crash and looking at impact analysis to determine whether speed was a factor.

The couple lived with Shevelle while they saved for a place of their own. Jazzy worked two jobs; a cashier at Home Depot and an assistant manager at a uniform store. Justin was a mechanic who could fix any car and rebuilt them for fun.

"He was the nicest kid, all 'please and thank yous'," said Michael Roberts, Store Manager at Kent's Goodyear Elliot Tire.

He said at one time Justin worked as a general service mechanic for him at a Seattle location. He and Justin bonded over Low Riders and were involved in the local car club scene. Roberts says his group, the Family Ties Car Club, is organizing a fundraiser to give Justin a "proper burial."

"He called me eight times a day with questions about fixing cars, I never saw a kid so passionate about working on cars," Roberts said.

Roberts said the only thing he cared more about was his son.

"He was such a good parent, he spent every minute with his son," he said.

Justin was restoring an old car, parked at Ronnie Adam's Kent home.

"I thank God 'Little Z' is still with us, but I'm having a hard time with what happened," said Adams, Jazzy's stepdad.

He's know her since she was 12-years old and said she was like a daughter to him.

"I'm so proud of her, she went back to get her GED and was one test away from getting it," said Adams.

While they wait on the investigation, Jazzy's mother remembers and claims her daughter's words.

"Talk to God, keep your head up, and never give up," she said.

A memorial fund has been set up at any Wells Fargo to help with funeral expenses, called the Jasmarae Chapman Fund.

"The beautiful thing is while I'm hurting I can't cry that long, God dries my tears, I know the truth she's fine, she's fine, " said Jazzy's mom.

Police say the SUV driver suffered minor injuries.

Source :
Family mourning after young couple killed in Kent crash