KEMPNER, Texas – A family is mourning the loss of a 28-year-old mother and her three-month-old baby following a tragic car accident on U.S. Highway 190 near Kempner over the weekend.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Destiny Ramirez was driving east on US 190 with her four children Saturday evening when she lost control of the vehicle just before a curve. DPS investigators attributed the crash to wet road conditions and unsafe speed.

The vehicle collided with a guardrail and both Ramirez and her toddler, neither of whom were wearing seatbelts, were ejected upon impact. They were pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

“We are devastated,” said Ramirez’s stepfather, Thomas Max. “It’s a great loss, especially waking up and not having a daughter and granddaughter who were in your life every second of every day.”

Three other children, ages two, five and seven, were also in the car at the time of the accident. Two of them sustained injuries and were treated and released from hospital. The five-year-old’s condition remains critical.

“We are sad but also grateful that the boys are still alive,” added Max. “They need us now more than ever.”

Ramirez’s mother, Melissa Max, said the 2-year-old is doing well, but the 7-year-old is having major problems.

“Our 7-year-old is taking it pretty hard,” Melissa Max told 6 News. “He needs counseling to help him process everything.”

Following the tragedy, the family launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for funeral costs. Their goal of $5,000 has been exceeded at the time of publishing this story.

“There is a GoFundMe on my Facebook page, but we are also setting up an account at First National Bank if people want to help,” said Melissa Max. “We are so grateful for any support.”

“I was raised to believe that it takes a village to raise children and that we now need that village to help us raise these children,” concluded Thomas Max.

For more information to support the Ramirez family, visit the GoFundMe campaign here.