Watch CBS News

Vigil Held For Victims Of Kelly Drive Crash

By Todd Quinones

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A vigil was held to remember the lives of a young mother and her teenage soon who were killed in a car accident on Monday.

For most people who have ever driven along Kelly Drive, at one point or another you may have had fears of being involved in a head on collision, the recent deaths of a mother and her teenage child are a perfect example of why.

For most of the kids who attended the vigil, held Wednesday night in the victim's honor, this is the first time in their lives they are dealing with the death of such a close friend.

15-year-old Quinn Fleming and his mom 34-year-old Karen Watts of Roxborough were killed on Monday when their silver Volkswagen slammed into a mini-van. (see related story)

"He was still my friend. I'm going to miss Quinn," said one friend, fighting back tears.

According to police at around 3 p.m. on Monday, Watts was heading north up Kelly Drive when she lost control, over corrected and swerved right into the southbound lanes, crashing head on into another vehicle.

Quinn Fleming
Quinn Fleming, 15

Investigators believe speed played a factor in the crash near the Strawberry Mansion bridge.

For parents, it has been a tough week trying to help their children cope.

"I'm still struggling, as a mom, what do you do? What do you say? How do I take away the hurt? and I can't," said Sheryl Mcgarry, a mother.

Fleming, friends say, was an avid skateboarder, who along with his mom, moved to Roxborough from Texas a few years ago.

Karen Watts
Karen Watts, 34 (right)

"Everyone keep him and his mom in their prayers, and his grandma. She's got to deal with losing a kid and a grandson," said Fleming's friend Ryan Gallagher.

"Just to see something like this happen, it tears the heart out of you," Parent Robert Gallagher.

The driver of the mini-van was critically injured and taken to Hahnemann University Hospital.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.