2 children killed, 6 injured in Nassau County crash

Power pole, lines blocked road for 9 hours after crash

A memorial is growing on Lonnie Crews Road in Nassau County., the spot where two boys were killed Saturday night in an accident that injured their mother and five other children.

Nicholai Capallia, 9, and Nehemiah Capallia-Bird, 8, died when an SUV struck a utility pole on a Nassau County road, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Troopers said a Ford Expedition was going north on Lonnie Crews Road just south of Lina Road when the driver failed to negotiate the right-hand curve, crossed the southbound lane, left the road and struck a utility pole.

The SUV continued north and overturned on Lina Road.

James Nelson, a 15-year-old who survived the crash, said they were leaving a Halloween party.

"We got to this little curve over there and she whipped it real hard. I blinked (and) we were rolling, blinked (and we) hit the light pole, and I blinked again and we were right here," Nelson said.

In addition to the two boys who died, Nina Capallia 7, was taken to UF Health Jacksonville with critical injuries. Four other children, ages 13 to 15, were seriously injured and also taken to UF Health, as was the driver, Tonya Naomi Capallia-Eason, 33.

Nelson says both Nick and Nehemiah were ejected. The others involved in the crash are still in the hospital, friends said.

Crash reports say Capallia-Eason had alcohol in her system at the time of the crash.

Everyone in the SUV were Fernandina Beach residents.

According to the accident report, the driver was wearing a seat belt, but it wasn't known if any of the children were in seat belts or child restraints. Troopers said charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.

Sunday evening, many gathered Sunday night to grieve the young boys with growing memorial at the site where the crash happened.

"Nick and Nehemiah. Nick was the 12-year-old and Nehemiah was the 9-year-old. He was always funny. If you were feeling down he would always try something to make you happy," a friend of the victims, Vanessa Sever, said. "Nick was the man of the house. He'd always do yard work he was always helping someone out."

As for what's next, friends said they're collecting donations for the boys' funeral. Once we learn how you can contribute, we will post the information.

According to the FHP website, power lines blocked Lonnie Crews Road for about nine hours after the crash. The Nassau County Sheriff's Office assisted with detouring traffic while the accident was investigated and cleared.