Mother speaks out after death of her daughter and granddaughter in car accident in New Castle County: “All I want is justice”

PHILADELPHIA – New details have emerged as a family mourns the deaths of a mother and daughter who were killed in a tragic car crash in New Castle County last week.

DeJuan Robinson, 26, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder, disobeying a police signal and failure to stop at a red light in connection with the crash.

The incident occurred around 11:20 p.m. at the intersection of Christiana Road and Airport Road.

Investigators say Karisma Elivo-Stevens was traveling with her five daughters in a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and stopped at a light to turn onto Airport Road. As Elivo-Stevens attempted to turn, a 2022 Kia K5 driven by Robinson ran a red light and struck the passenger side of the van, causing it to overturn and slide down Christiana Road.

Robinson's Kia then skidded across a concrete median and struck a 2020 Hyundai Tucson that was attempting to turn onto Christiana Road.

Karisma Elivo-Stevens died in the crash along with her eldest daughter, 10-year-old Zamiyah.

Elivo-Stevens' other four daughters, ages 8, 5, 3 and 1, were taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

FOX 29's Kelly Rule spoke with Yolanda Urena, who says she is feeling strong for her granddaughters who survived the fatal accident.

Three of the other girls in the car are now home and recovering, but Urena says her five-year-old granddaughter is still fighting for her life in intensive care.

“They ask me, 'Grandma, are you crying?' So this is their mother, their sister who died, and I have to explain this,” she says. “These are beautiful souls, happy, my granddaughter was very happy and I just miss her, I miss her so, so much.”

A memorial continues to be built at the intersection of Christiana and Airport Roads.

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support the family.

Urena says it was very close to where the family lives and they almost managed to get home safely.

Delaware State Police said the investigation into the accident is ongoing and that additional charges may be filed.

“This should never have happened. I just want justice, nothing bad against him or his family, nothing like that,” Urena says. “I don't hate him. I pray for him too.”