Late Wednesday night, the lives of a mother and her young daughter were tragically cut short in a violent multi-vehicle crash that shook the town of New Castle, Delaware, leaving a community heartbroken and six other individuals, including four children, injured. The crash, which occurred at approximately 11:20 p.m. on Christiana Road, involved a collision between a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan carrying the family and a speeding 2022 Kia K5. The horrifying aftermath of the crash led to the deaths of 29-year-old Karisma Stevens, also known as Karisma Elivo, and her 10-year-old daughter Zamiyah Stevens. Both lost their lives instantly in what investigators have described as a preventable accident caused by reckless driving.
The Stevens family had been stopped at a traffic light in the eastbound lanes of Christiana Road at the intersection with Airport Road. Inside the Dodge Grand Caravan was Karisma, a loving and hardworking mother of five girls, and her five children. The family was returning home from an evening out, with Karisma simultaneously working as a driver for a food delivery service to make extra income for her family. Just minutes away from the safety of their home, their lives were upended in a sudden and violent chain of events that have left loved ones and the entire community struggling to comprehend the magnitude of the loss.
According to investigators, a Kia K5, driven by a 26-year-old man from Wilmington, Delaware, was speeding westbound on Christiana Road at an excessive rate of speed when it failed to stop at a red light at the intersection. As Karisma’s Dodge Caravan entered the intersection after the light had turned green, the Kia barreled through, striking the right side of the Caravan with such force that the vehicle was sent spinning uncontrollably before eventually rolling over multiple times. The impact from the crash was catastrophic. Not only did it cause the Caravan to overturn, but it also sent the Kia careening into a nearby cement median before crashing into a 2020 Hyundai Tuscon that had been preparing to turn right onto Christiana Road from Airport Road.
The violent collision brought the entire roadway to a standstill. Surveillance video from a nearby gas station captured the chilling moments as the vehicles collided, skidded across the roadway, and flipped over amidst a flurry of sparks and debris. Eyewitnesses reported hearing the sound of tires screeching, followed by a series of deafening crashes as the vehicles crumpled upon impact. The scene was described as “chaotic” and “horrific,” with twisted metal and shattered glass strewn across the intersection. Emergency responders quickly arrived on the scene, working to extract the injured from the wreckage.
Tragically, despite their efforts, Karisma and her 10-year-old daughter Zamiyah could not be saved. They were pronounced dead at the scene, their lives taken in an instant by the reckless actions of another driver. The remaining occupants of the Caravan—Karisma’s four other daughters, ranging in age from toddlers to young teens—were rushed to the hospital with varying degrees of injuries. According to the family, one of the girls remains in critical condition, fighting for her life. The emotional toll on the family has been devastating as they attempt to grapple with the profound loss of both a mother and a sister while holding out hope for the recovery of the other children.
The driver of the Kia K5, a 26-year-old man whose identity has not yet been revealed by police, was also taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Investigators are currently looking into the circumstances leading up to the crash, including whether speed, impairment, or any other factors contributed to the driver’s reckless actions that night. The driver of the third vehicle involved, a 43-year-old woman from Bear, Delaware, also sustained serious injuries and was transported to the hospital for treatment. Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident, and charges are expected to be filed against the driver of the Kia K5 once the full extent of the investigation is completed.
In the immediate aftermath of the crash, the section of Christiana Road where the accident occurred was shut down for nearly six hours as police worked to reconstruct the scene, gather evidence, and interview witnesses. The road has since reopened, but the scars of the incident remain deeply etched in the minds of those who witnessed it and the countless others who have since learned of the tragic loss of life.
For the Stevens family, the loss is immeasurable. Karisma Stevens had been a pillar of strength and resilience, a mother who tirelessly worked to provide for her five daughters while also pursuing her education. She had recently earned her associate’s degree, a milestone that was not only a personal achievement but also a testament to her determination to create a better future for herself and her children. Karisma’s brother, who has been speaking on behalf of the family, described her as a dedicated and loving mother who always put her children first. Her daughters were her world, and she worked tirelessly to ensure they were cared for and provided with every opportunity.
In a poignant and heartbreaking detail, it was revealed that Karisma had been driving for a food delivery service at the time of the crash, making extra money to support her family. She had just completed her final delivery for the night and was on her way home when the accident occurred, just around the corner from their residence. What should have been a routine and uneventful journey home turned into a night of unimaginable horror that would forever change the lives of her family and community.
As news of the tragedy spread, the outpouring of grief and support from the community has been overwhelming. Friends, neighbors, and even strangers have come forward to offer their condolences, share memories of Karisma and Zamiyah, and provide support for the grieving family. A makeshift memorial has been set up at the site of the crash, where flowers, candles, and heartfelt notes have been left in honor of the mother and daughter who lost their lives.
In addition to the emotional and spiritual support being offered, a GoFundMe campaign has been established to help the family with funeral expenses and medical costs for the injured children. The community has rallied behind the effort, with donations pouring in from across the region. The goal is to not only cover the immediate expenses but also to ensure that the surviving children have the resources they need in the months and years ahead as they recover from their physical injuries and begin to navigate life without their mother and sister.
For many, the tragedy has also sparked a conversation about road safety and the dangers of reckless driving. The fact that the crash occurred due to the actions of a speeding driver who failed to obey a traffic light has left many feeling a deep sense of anger and frustration. The community is calling for increased enforcement of traffic laws, particularly in areas where speeding is known to be a problem. Local leaders have expressed their commitment to addressing these concerns and working to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
But even as the community seeks to make sense of the tragedy and take action to prevent future incidents, the overwhelming feeling is one of grief and loss. The lives of Karisma Stevens and her daughter Zamiyah were full of promise and potential, and their deaths have left a void that can never be filled. Karisma’s children are now left to grow up without their mother, and the pain of that loss will be felt for years to come.
As the investigation continues and the community mourns, one thing is clear: the legacy of Karisma and Zamiyah Stevens will not be forgotten. They were loved deeply by their family, cherished by their friends, and valued by their community. Their lives may have been cut short, but their memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew them. In the face of such an unspeakable tragedy, the resilience and strength of the Stevens family and their community will serve as a testament to the love and support that can emerge even in the darkest of times.
