Canadian soldier, wife and baby killed in U.S. crash
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PETAWAWA, Ont. — A Canadian soldier, his wife and their seven-month-old baby were killed in a five-vehicle crash in South Carolina over the weekend.
Pte. Jeremiah Cross, 34, was a soldier with 2 Service Battalion at CFB Petawawa. He, Crystal Cross, 32 and Grayson Cross, seven months, died in the fiery crash on the I-95 in Florence County around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Two people from Pennsylvania also died in the crash.
Two vehicles were reportedly in flames when firefighters arrived and one vehicle was pinned under a tractor trailer.
Cross joined the Armed Forces almost three years ago. He was training to be a vehicle technician.
2 Service Battalion acting commanding officer Maj. Brian Lepack offered his condolences to the family Monday.
“He was a new soldier and was just beginning to show promise in his career,” Lepack said in a statement.
While only posted to Garrison Petawawa for a short time, Maj. Lepack said Cross was a member of the military family, was well liked by his peers and had a fantastic personality.
He said the shock of his death has been felt by all who knew him.
“The death of a soldier at any time is difficult, but this accident which claimed the life of this young soldier, his wife and young child is a tragedy which affects us all whether we are military or civilian,” Lepack said.
He said the military base will “do everything we can to support his family during this difficult time.”
A co-worker of Crystal's, Jason DeRushie, considered her as a friend.
“Crystal was my boss, but more my friend,” he said in a Facebook message to QMI Agency.
“We worked together for the past seven years. We were a good team and we relied on each other a lot. They were every good people. It's a very hard time.”
Seven other people were also involved in the crash but did not need hospitalization, S.C. Now website reported.
It's unknown if charges will be laid.
NEW: Multiple deaths confirmed in I-95 accident in Florence Co., S.C. - @wmbf, @chrismckagen http://t.co/pchEARoPwo pic.twitter.com/dPCoKV0hYE
— G.Alexander(BRKNEWS) (@MajorNews911) March 22, 2015