Kentucky newlywed's world collapses after her husband and infant daughter BOTH die in honeymoon tragedy
Hunter and little Oakleigh Lyons tragically died Saturday afternoon in Hardinsburg - about an hour outside of Louisville - after a Ford F-150 crossed the center lane and struck the family's car, the Kentucky State Police said.
The father, 22, and Oakleigh were pronounced dead at the scene after both vehicles went up in flames. Macey Lyons, the girl's mom and Hunter's new wife, was flown to University of Louisville Hospital with non-life-threatening burn injuries.
The other driver, Joseph Maynard, 48, also died at the scene.
According to police, Maynard drove his pickup truck into the other lane 'for unknown reasons' before colliding into the Lyons' Chevrolet Silverado.
Hunter and Macey got married on July 19, according to a post made to his Facebook. Their daughter was born in 2024.
At the time of the fatal crash, the newlyweds were on their way home from their honeymoon in Pigeon Forge, Hunter's mother revealed on social media.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Daily Mail contacted the Kentucky State Police for comment.
While Macey recovers from her injuries and the sudden loss of her daughter and husband, the local community has come together to support the widow and grieving mother.
A close friend set up a Venmo account to accept donations to help Macey during this challenging time.
Meanwhile, several local businesses have come together to raise as much money as they can for her.
Doe Valley Golf Club also raised more than $1,500 for her while a local church is set to hold a fundraiser Saturday in her honor.
A yard sale will be open to the community in the parking lot at Calhoun Baptist Church. All proceeds will go toward her husband and daughter's funeral costs and her medical bills.
An online silent auction will also be held Saturday to honor Hunter and Oakleigh.
Several loved ones have paid tribute to the family online and sent well-wishes to Macey.
Hunter's mother, Leigh Ann Payne-Weisser, shared the heartbreaking news that he was the second child she lost.
On Tuesday, Payne-Weisser took to Facebook to post about her late son Garrett, who died two years ago.
'On this particular anniversary, I know that he is the presence of his brother, Hunter and his most perfect niece, Oakleigh,' she wrote alongside several images of her sons and late granddaughter.
'It is my belief that Garrett has been watching over us and was there with open arms to welcome them home.'
Another loved one wrote: 'I've been a crying mess off and on all day. My heart is so heavy, and my mind just can't make sense of it all.'
Someone else spoke directly of Macey, whose 'world had just been shook to the core.'
'Please keep this beautiful girl in your prayers. Her world had just been shook to the core,' they posted.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
37 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Former military fighter pilot and his son feared dead after Majorca plane crash into the sea
An ex-military fighter pilot and his teenage son are feared dead after their plane crashed into the sea off Majorca. Police confirmed on Sunday morning specialist divers were continuing to search for the occupants after locating the wreckage of the two-seat Team Rocket F-4 Raider sport plane capable of doing speeds of more than 250mph. The plane was seen crashing into the sea near the tourist town of Soller just after 8pm on Saturday after being spotted doing air acrobatics including 'daring but legal' 360-Degree turns. The occupants have been described locally as a former American military combat pilot aged around 60 who lives in Germany and has a holiday home in Majorca. He is understood to currently work as a commercial pilot. Eye-witnesses have said the plane he was believed to be in performed a series of adventurous stunts off the coast before returning to Binissalem Aerodrome where he had taken off from earlier in the day to pick up his passenger. Respected Majorcan daily Ultima Hora said the second person feared dead in the crash was the American pilot's 13-year-old child. Police have not yet made any official comment about the identities and nationalities of the confirmed two occupants of the plane. The Civil Guard said early on Sunday morning: 'The search for two occupants is continuing this morning following the plane accident yesterday evening. 'The accident happened around 8pm opposite the Soller lighthouse and in waters about 30 metres deep. 'Specialists from the Civil Guard's elite GEA diving unit, the Maritime Service and the Air Service are still conducting a search. In an initial statement late on Saturday the force said: 'The two-seater plane had left Binissalem Aerodrome around 6pm yesterday and the accident happened around 100 metres from the coast opposite the lighthouse in Soller Port. 'The remains of the plane have been located but we still have no information about the number of people inside. 'We have spoken to an eye-witness on a boat who saw the accident.'
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Four dead in as many days at seaside beauty spot as woman's body is found beneath cliffs after couple and another lady were discovered
A fourth person has been found dead beneath the cliffs near Whitby in just a matter of days. Emergency services were alerted to the discovery of a body at Sandsend near Whitby Abbey just after 11am yesterday - where three others also died this week. Police later discovered the woman's body below the cliffs behind the main car park at Sandsend. Teams from the ambulance, police, coastguard, lifeboat and fire service all attended the scene. The woman's body was recovered at 12.55pm and the location was reopened to the public a few hours later following extensive enquiries. The woman's death follows the double tragedy of a man and woman - believed to be in their 40s - who plunged to their deaths from 200ft cliffs behind Whitby Abbey on Wednesday evening. The couple were seen heading towards the cliffs on a path on the North Yorkshire coast. Their bodies were recovered from the rocks below the 180ft cliffs on Wednesday evening following the apparent suicide pact. A day later on Thursday, a woman in her 60s was found dead by the cliffs near Whitby Pavilion. Police, ambulance, coastguard, mountain rescue and lifeboat teams were called after reports of the woman's death, which is believed to have involved a fall from the cliff. Due to the rocky location and high tide, mountain rescue assisted in recovering the woman's body to the lifeboat before being taken to the lifeboat house. North Yorkshire Police are not linking the third death, which is not believed to be suspicious, to the alleged double suicide, which the force continue to investigate. The area beside the historic 7th-century Abbey, which sits on the clifftop over the historic fishing port of Whitby, has been busy with people setting up for a vintage steam engine rally. North Yorkshire Police said of the latest tragedy that the woman's death is not being treated as suspicious. The force said in a statement: 'It has been confirmed that the woman is aged in her 50s and from the local area. 'Officers are supporting the woman's family at this difficult time. 'The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report is being prepared for the coroner.' Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information that could assist officers have been urged to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 12250143585. The force underlined: 'There are no connections between this sudden death, the sudden deaths of a man and woman below Whitby Abbey on Wednesday 30 July or the woman below Whitby Abbey on Thursday 31 July.'
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Family pay tribute to teen who died in Royston BMW house crash
The family of a 19-year-old who died after the car he was in crashed into a house have described him as "the light in all our lives".Officers were called to Cromwell Way, Royston, on 18 July after reports that a gold BMW had come off the A505 and hit a residential Sheik, who died at the scene, has been described as "gentle, affectionate, respectful, and incredibly mindful" in a tribute made by his said the teenager had been well liked in his community and neighbourhood and added about 6,000 people attended his funeral. Hertfordshire Police said there were two other males in the car at the time of the Wednesday the force said one was in a critical condition and the other was in a serious people inside the house were not injured. The tribute from Mr Sheik's family continued: "He was just 19 years old, the youngest in our family, the heart of our home, and the light in all our lives."Rabi was known for his humility. He was gentle, affectionate, respectful, and incredibly mindful. "Rabi's character was not reckless, irresponsible, or careless. In fact, he was the exact opposite. He was wise beyond his years and always made decisions with thought and care, even at just 19 years old."We will continue to honour Rabi through our prayers, our love, and the truth. We want to give him the same strength and loyalty he showed to us every day of his short but beautiful life. "We hope people will join us in remembering him as a rare soul, full of light and goodness." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
