ONANCOCK, Va. – A small Virginia community continues to process the news that six people from their town including 2 children and 1 unborn child passed away in a car accident Saturday morning.
Cristen Hunter of Onancock was a high school classmate of 30-year old Zarissa Ayres, who was expecting a baby girl. Hunter recalls her initial reaction hearing about the crash.
"It saddened me because of the relationship I know sisters share,” said Hunter referring to Ayres' 24-year old sister Regina whose 7-year old daughter Jordan and two-month old son Jonathan also perished in the accident.
“My sister and I share that very same relationship where we talk everyday," she said.
Cristi Lawton was walking through downtown Onancock Sunday afternoon giving her two young children a ride on a toy wagon. Lawton's daughter Casey was a classmate of Regina's daughter last year.
"Jordan came to Casey's birthday party last year,” said Lawton. “It was very hard to break the news to Casey last night that one of her friends and classmates passed away," the mother of two said as she held back tears.
Travis Stratton lived with his girlfriend Regina, who family members called the “love of his life,” along with her daughter Jordan and their infant son Jonathan.
Inside Mrs. Stratton's Onancock home, family members recalled fond memories of Travis.
Travis' aunt Felicia Stratton-Ray of Wachapreague, Va., credits her nephew's unique personality to his military upbringing. “For me it was hilarious but some people were like, 'I don't get it!,'” she said laughing and remembering her oldest nephew.
Travis' aunt Sharon Stratton from Melfa, Va. said she will miss texting with her nephew since that's how the two kept in touch.
"I was telling my husband I just deleted his texts just a couple days ago because I was trying to clean up my phone,” said Stratton regrettably, “and now I wish hadn't deleted it because that was our last conversation."
Travis' uncle Terrence said there wasn't enough time to get to know his infant nephew.
"I never got to hold my nephew,” said Terrence.
But the family said they are grateful for the time they did have with Travis.
"He was just a person that did whatever he could to help people and never wanted anything for it,” said Terrence.
“He's going to be missed. He's already missed," he said.
