An Ohio mother and two of her young children were killed after their SUV was struck by a tractor-trailer in a devastating crash.
Hannah Howard, 30, of Beaver, was driving with her three children, Gunner, 9, Peyton, 5, and Klaus, 4, when the crash happened around 2 p.m. Monday.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Howard failed to yield before crossing State Route 32. A tractor-trailer driven by 27-year-old Chance Rodgers then crashed into her Chevrolet Traverse.
Howard, Gunner and Peyton were pronounced dead at the scene.
Klaus was flown to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus with serious, life-threatening injuries. His current condition has not been released.
Rodgers was not injured, authorities said.
The crash remains under investigation.
Howard, a nurse and mother of three, often shared loving photos and videos of her children on social media. Her pages were filled with family moments, outings and proud posts about her kids.
Just weeks before the crash, she celebrated Gunner’s baseball achievements. The 9-year-old played on several recreation teams and had recently won an MVP award.
“I really can’t say enough how proud I am of this boy!” Howard wrote on June 3. “He’s tough, he’s determined, and I am just so proud of him!”
Her daughter Peyton had also recently shown an interest in following in her mother’s footsteps. For career day at school in March, Peyton dressed up in a nurse’s uniform to be just like her mom.
“If you see me today without my badge just know its in good use,” Howard wrote. “I finally have a kid that wants to follow my career path.”
In April, the family celebrated Klaus’ fifth birthday.
“Where has time gone? I love you,” Howard wrote on Facebook.
Howard is survived by her husband, Cody, and her youngest child, Klaus.
The family lived in Beaver, about 75 miles south of Columbus. On TikTok, Howard often shared glimpses of family life, including her children dancing and trips to Gunner’s baseball games.
After the crash, friends and coworkers flooded social media with tributes to the late mother and her children.
“I have absolutely no words,” one friend wrote. “I’ll forever miss you.”
Another friend, Shania Ell, wrote, “My heart is absolutely broken for you, Gunner, Peyton, and for everyone who loved you. There are no words big enough for a loss like this.”
A coworker, Taylor Conley, remembered Howard as someone who brought joy to those around her.
“Hannah was a kind soul, always made me laugh and such a great person to work with!” Conley wrote.
The heartbreaking crash has left a family and community mourning the loss of a young mother and two children whose lives were cut short in an instant.
