Mom Who ‘Touched the Lives of Thousands’ and Her 2 Sons Die in Fiery Chain-Reaction Crash

A mom and her 2 sons person died aft a fiery clang connected a Tennessee highway.

Five vehicles were progressive successful nan fatal clang connected Interstate 40 West and North Hollywood astir 3:30 p.m. section clip connected Saturday, May 31, nan Memphis Police Department said successful a connection obtained by PEOPLE.

Officials said nan first conveyance was walking westbound connected I-40 erstwhile it struck nan rear of nan 2nd vehicle, causing a concatenation guidance crash, according to CBS connection WREG-TV.

Three group were pronounced dormant astatine nan scene, and a 4th was transported to St. Francis Bartlett successful non-critical condition, constabulary said.

Youth Villages, a nonprofit organization, has confirmed that its worker Tonya Cannady and her 2 sons, Barry and Scott, were killed successful nan crash, according to WREG-TV and FOX connection WHBQ-TV.

“Ms. Cannady was a awesome portion of our organization, celebrating 22 years pinch Youth Villages this year,” nan nonprofit’s connection read. “She touched nan lives of thousands complete that time, including children and staff, astir precocious serving arsenic our nutrition services head for our West Tennessee residential locations.” 

The statement continued, “Our hearts spell retired to her family during this time. She will beryllium missed by truthful galore of us.”

Youth Villages did not instantly respond to PEOPLE’s petition for comment.

All lanes of postulation connected I-40 and North Hollywood were blocked for respective hours connected Saturday pursuing nan crash, according to a post shared connected X by nan Memphis Police Department.

An Army reservist who witnessed nan incident told WREG-TV he pulled complete to thief a female break a model of a Jeep Grand Cherokee that was progressive successful nan crash.

Never miss a communicative — motion up for PEOPLE's free regular newsletter to enactment up-to-date connected nan champion of what PEOPLE has to offer, from personage news to compelling quality liking stories.

He said he was capable to "pull nan driver retired and unbuckle nan passenger” arsenic nan cars “went up successful flames.” Another bystander handed him a occurrence extinguisher, and he “tried to usage that to put nan occurrence out,” but to nary avail.

Franchesca Roland, different witness, told WHBQ-TV that she and others raced to thief Cannady aft nan crash. “The rider we did get out, we started performing CPR connected her,” she explained.

“I conscionable want to connection my condolences to nan family,” nan Army reservist told WREG-TV. “I consciousness really bad for nan family and each nan nonaccomplishment they’re going done successful specified a short magnitude of time.”

An investigation into nan clang is ongoing, constabulary show PEOPLE.