A California couple’s birthday trip up the coast turned deadly when their car was crushed by a tree that fell onto the road, killing them both.
Jessica and Jake Woodruff were driving up Highway 199 last week to celebrate Jessica’s 45th birthday when the redwood tree came crashing down, according to a GoFundMe page.
Local officials, including the California Highway Patrol, still have no idea how or why the tree fell.
The Woodruffs are survived by their five children: Megan, Evan, Casey, Allie and Chelsea.
“This was a shocking and unexpected event, and the tragedy of this accident makes it difficult to accept as real. These 5 children are now left without parents and are facing a lifetime of expenses,” a family friend wrote on the GoFundMe page.
“These children are facing the devastating reality of what was just ripped from their lives in a split second. Those of you who know this family, know how tight-knit they are, and their lives will forever be changed.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, the fundraising page has drawn more than $197,000 in donations.
