Matthew Keene: North Carolina boy, 5, spends his birthday in hospital after surviving a crash that killed his mother

OAKBORO, NORTH CAROLINA: A five-year-old North Carolina boy spent his birthday in the hospital after he survived a crash that claimed the life of his mother. Matthew Keene and his mother, Emily Keene, were driving in Oakboro on January 12 when a Toyota pickup truck hit their car head-on, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety said in a statement. 

Emily was airlifted to Atrium Health Main where she was pronounced dead, authorities said. A GoFundMe fundraiser launched by a loved one said that the boy "broke his arm and had to have part of his colon and intestines removed" following the crash.

What did Matthew Keene's father say?

Shortly following the crash, Matthew celebrated his birthday at Charlotte's Children’s Levine Hospital, according to ABC affiliates WTVD and WSOC-TV. However, since then, the boy has been able to come home, his father said. 

"He was excited because the only one thing he really wanted was to see me and his mom and his whole family get together," said Matthew's father, Matt Keene. 

Keene added that his "strong" son is currently recovering at home and "doing great," though he will likely need more medical attention. "We still have a long road ahead with therapy and more appointments and another potential back surgery" he said. 

Emily Keene was a 'good mother'

The devastated father shared that Emily was a "good mother" to their son who "has taken all of this like a trooper." "This will be a very rough transition for Matthew but also for Matt," read a tribute by the GoFundMe organizer, who noted the dad would have to be "out of work for the next little while." 

"Keep Matthew’s mother’s family in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate these uncertain waters as well," the organizer added. As of Monday morning, January 22, $6,000 has been raised.

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety said that an investigation into the fatal crash is ongoing. No charges have been announced at this time.

Three-year-old girl killed in multi-vehicle crash in New Jersey 

Meaww previously reported that a three-year-old girl tragically lost her life in a multi-vehicle crash in New Jersey over the weekend. 

In a press release, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said that authorities responded to New Jersey State Route 34 just north of the interchange with State Route 33 in Howell on a report of a collision on Saturday, January 13, at around 4.45 pm local time.  

"At that location, they found the three involved vehicles, a 2014 Dodge Ram pickup truck with an adult female driver, a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee with an adult female driver and three passengers, including two children, and a 2021 Ford Bronco with an adult female driver," according to the prosecutor's office.

Prosecutors said that a 34-year-old woman was driving the Jeep, while a 37-year-old woman was a passenger inside the vehicle along with a two-year-old boy and a three-year-old girl, identified as Kylie Williams by loved ones and NJ Advance Media.

Kylie was seriously injured and transported to a local hospital for treatment while the two-year-old boy sustained minor injuries, according to the authorities. The Asbury Park Press identified the driver as Joelle Williams, mother of the two children, and the 34-year-old passenger as Joelle's sister, Valerie. According to the paper, Valerie sustained minor injuries.