Mural dedicated to victims killed in Tioga carjacking crash

Annie McCormick Image
Sunday, April 26, 2015
VIDEO: Mural dedicated to victims killed in Tioga crash
Family and friends dedicated a new mural Saturday in honor of a mother and her three children killed in a tragic crash last summer.

TIOGA (WPVI) -- Family and friends dedicated a new mural Saturday in honor of a mother and her three children killed in a tragic crash last summer.

"We're just celebrating their life, their legacy, what they sought out to do before the tragedy hit," said Cassandra Alexander, cousin.

For the past year, there was nothing beautiful about the corner of Germantown Avenue and Allegheny Avenue - until Saturday.

Last July, a carjacked vehicle slammed into a fruit stand run by siblings 15-year-old Keiearra Williams, 10-year-old Thomas Reed, and 7-year-old Terrence Moore.

Pictured: Keiearra Williams, 15, Joseph Reed, 9, and Terrence Moore, 7. All three children were struck and killed by a carjacked SUV on July 25, 2014.

The children were there along with their mother Keisha Williams.

The family was trying to raise money to build a playground.

On Saturday, family members and friends played in the very spot where the City of Philadelphia created a mural in their honor.

"My cousins joined something to help the community, we wanted to continue on their legacy," said Alexander.

"On behalf of everyone at Mural Arts, I want to pay our respect to the Williams, Reed and Moore families. We are honored and humbled to create this as a service to you and the entire community," said a representative from the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program.

In addition to the July 25th tragedy, the city also honored murder victim Michael Kevin Williams, who was killed in the same lot a year before.

The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program created the Loving Memories Mural Project.

The project was designed by Amber Art and Design with family and community input.

It was painted by members of the Youth Violence Reduction Partnership Guild.

Family members prayed, hugged and sang. They say they are hoping this spot is now a place where they can go to remember their loved ones who were lost.

"Doing this project, we keep a little piece of our family members with us," said Alexander.