What should have been a day of celebration turned into a day of tragedy after five people were killed en route to a baby shower early Saturday morning in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland.

The family was traveling to Maryland for a baby shower being held for Zarissa Ayres, 30, who was killed in the crash along with her unborn daughter, Zoe.

Around 1:15 a.m., a tractor-trailer hauling a 22-ton load collided with the vehicle at the intersection of routes 50 and 213 in Wye Mills. The truck rolled over the smaller vehicle, crushing it.

Killed in the collision were Zarissa’s sister, 24-year-old Regina M. Ayres, Regina’s 7-year-old daughter Jordan, and her two-month-old son, Jonathan. Regina’s boyfriend and the father of her daughter, 25-year-old Travis M. Straton, was also killed in the collision. Zarissa Ayres and her unborn child were taken to a nearby hospital in Easton, where they also passed away.

The trucks driver, 28-year-old Yvenet Mayette was flown to Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore where he is being treated for injuries.

Investigators do not yet know who was driving the smaller car or the cause of the crash. There is no indication that alcohol was involved, and no charges have been filed. The Queen Anne’s County States Attorneys Office has been notified of the crash, and the Maryland State Police as well as the Maryland State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division are conducting a thorough investigation.

The attorneys at Goldberg Finnegan offer their deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the families of those killed. Losing so many family members in one accident is unspeakably heartbreaking, and the Ayres family remains in our thoughts.

After a tragic accident, it is important to have people you can trust taking care of your interests while you take care of your family. At Goldberg Finnegan, we understand that you have more important things to do than worry about negotiating with your insurance company. Trust our experienced personal injury attorneys to represent you in this difficult time.