Phoebe Elliot
By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
TAYLOR — Phoebe Elliot, 12, of Allen Park died after a two-vehicle crash at Northline and Telegraph roads in Taylor about midnight Feb. 4.
Taylor Director of Communications & Marketing Karl Ziomek said Elliot was a passenger in the vehicle that was traveling west on Northline.
The vehicle had just started moving and was slowly crossing Telegraph when a second vehicle traveling south on Telegraph allegedly ran the red light, causing the crash.
Elliot was in the vehicle with her 45-year-old aunt at the time.
Taylor police and emergency responders arrived at the scene where Elliot received CPR then was transported to Beaumont Hospital, Taylor. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Elliot’s aunt and the 20-year-old driver of the second vehicle, from Taylor, also were taken to the hospital for treatment of their injuries. The 20-year-old was taken into police custody on charges of operating while intoxicated causing death, Ziomek said.
A GoFundMe page was started by a family friend who said the money raised would go toward funeral expenses. As of Feb. 3, $26,523 of the $27,000 goal had been raised.
“Phoebe was a beautiful soul who was tragically taken away from this world too soon,” the page said. “She was a caring sibling, a wonderful student, and a blessing sent from God. Her young life was cut too short by a careless, drunk driver.
“Please consider helping her aunt and uncle in this time of need. They took her and her siblings into their home when Phoebe was very young, and provided a life that she deserved. Any donations received will go towards helping Darren and Lisa Capps with funeral expenses. Thank you and God bless you.”
To donate go to www.gofundme.com/f/funeral-expenses-for-phoebe-elliot.
Elliot was an eighth-grader at Allen Park Middle School at the time of her death.
“Phoebe was loved by her entire family, with siblings attending Arno, Lindermann, APMS and APHS, and beloved by Allen Park Public Schools staff and fellow students,” Allen Park Public Schools Supt. Michael Darga said in a letter. “As a school and community, we stand ready to support our students, families and staff as they deal with this sad loss. Our throughs and prayers are with Phoebe’s immediate family and the entire Elliot and Capps families.”
The letter said that the district’s crisis team — including counselors, social workers and school psychologists — has implemented a plan for responding to the tragedy.
Special counseling services will be made available throughout the week to students in media centers at Arno, Lindermann, APMS and APHS starting Feb. 4. In his letter, Darga said services will be offered beyond this week, as needed.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected])