
Devoted mother and father's act of love ends in horror and their five children orphaned
Kwasi Agbottah, 43, and Elizabeth Agbottah, 41, died after an SUV driven by Dejah Latre Berry plowed into them, Detroit Police Department said.
The couple were on their way to get groceries on Friday when Berry allegedly lost control of her vehicle and slammed into the devoted parents. They were rushed to a nearby hospital but later succumbed to their injuries.
Berry, 33, continued along the stretch 'at high speed' after ploughing through the bus stop before slamming into another vehicle at a gas station pump along the road, police said.
She is now facing two counts of reckless driving causing death and driving with a suspended license causing death.
The Agbottahs were beloved members of their community, where they were well known for their missionary work.
They leave behind their five sons, who range in age from two to 15-years-old.
'Elizabeth and Kwasi lived a humble but rich life full of service, fellowship, and creativity,' a tribute on their GoFundMe states.
'Above all, Elizabeth and Kwasi were committed, intentional parents who fostered in their children a love of community, discipleship, and caring for God's creation.
'We know their legacy — of service, education, faith, and radical generosity — lives on through their sons, their writing and music, and in the countless lives they touched.'
The couple met as youth counselors for Bay Shore Ministries Summer youth program in East Palo Alto, California.
Their passion for education and service took them across the country and then finally back to Detroit where they had been living and working since 2019.
Kwasi's best friend Michael Krauter paid tribute to the late father and his wife.
'Kwasi's humility is an example. Elizabeth's joy infectious,' he wrote. 'There was never a short story with either of them, always long with all the details - but we never cared because their stories were better than ours.
'And when they spoke to us, or spit, or rhymed, or sang, or read, or sat in quiet-you grew us closer to God by pouring into us the words of Christ and the Scriptures.
The couple were at a Detroit bus stop on their way to get groceries when Berry plowed into them on Friday, prosecutors said
'Their pride in the privilege of getting to be parents and raising sons was overflowing. They loved you and were so proud of you boys.
'They honored and loved their parents, siblings, and family - it was always on their lips.'
Berry was arraigned on Monday and had her bond set at $50,000. Her next court date is May 7.
If convicted, she the offenses are punishable by 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Beloved Las Vegas boy tried to ignore ski mask-wearing bully, 17, and ended up paying with his life
A beloved boy was fatally shot at least six times after he tried to ignore a ski-mask-wearing bully at a mini-market in Las Vegas. Alfraido 'Junior' Zeyouma Jr. was weeks away from his 18th birthday when he lost his life while shopping at an East Lake Mead Boulevard mini-mart around 2am on June 8. While shopping, he was approached by Leonardo Nolasco, 17, who confronted several people while inside the store and was 'acting strangely,' an arrest report, viewed by The Las Vegas Review-Journal, said. The clerk believed Nolasco was 'possibly intoxicated or under the influence of narcotics' and was telling customers he 'knew them from a party he had attended.' Another witness said Nolasco was trying to pick an argument with Zeyouma, who 'laughed it off' and remained peaceful, the report said. Nolasco also allegedly asked the teen if he was a part of a gang. As Zeyouma was leaving the market, Nolasco allegedly revealed a handgun under his waistband and shot the victim at least six times in front of a witness to who ran off. 'My brother was shot six times for nothing,' his sister, Elizabeth Zeyouma, wrote on a GoFundMe. 'He was walking out of the store, and some guys started an altercation with him as he was walking out by himself.' While shopping, he was approached by Leonardo Nolasco, 17, who confronted several people while inside the store and was 'acting strangely.' The clerk believed Nolasco was 'possibly intoxicated or under the influence of narcotics' Zeyouma was shot once in the head and multiple times in the body, the family revealed. 'My brother never deserved that. He was such a sweet and kind guy,' Elizabeth said. 'He wasn't in a gang or anything; he was always to himself.' 'I'm actually gonna have to bury him the same month he was born,' his mother, Meagan, told News 3 Las Vegas. 'He was always laughing. He was always smiling.' Meagan said her son had begged to use one of his parents' cars to go out to see a girl and his dad finally let him. She suspects Zeyouma was attempting to buy alcohol at the store, she told the outlet. 'He wanted to bring something to a party. He didn't want to show up with nothing,' she said. 'I thought I knew that he was was just supposed to be with the girl. 'That's all I knew. I didn't know that there were going to be others involved. There was another car that was following them. They had approximately four to five people in it, and then there was a car that was already there before they got there.' Despite that, she trusted her son and said he always came home every time he went out late at night. She had even spoken with him just an hour before his death and the parents now regret allowing him to take the vehicle. The family remembered the teen for his love of basketball and for bringing a 'light in[to] every room he walked in.' 'Everyone liked him; he never had any enemies,' his sister said. 'He was only 17, turning 18 on July 22. He was so excited for his birthday and never made it. 'Rest in peace, my brother, forever 17.' Nolasco was arrested and booked into the North Las Vegas Community Correctional Center on one count of open murder with a deadly weapon. Nolasco had previously been arrested for battery and disturbing the peace in 2023. He is expected back in court on Tuesday.


Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Tragic Rachel Booth's family share update on her three young sons amid fundraiser
A GoFundMe has been set up to support her children. Heartbroken loved ones of tragic Rachel Booth have set up a fundraiser to support her children after the tragic death of the missing mum-of-three was confirmed. The 38-year-old's body was recovered from a lake yesterday after police spent days searching for her, in a hunt which saw sniffer dogs and underwater divers deployed. Rachel was last seen by her family in the early hours of Saturday morning in the Barnton area of Northwich, with Cheshire Police leading the search to find her. The Mirror reports that, now, those close to her have set up a GoFundMe, "to honour her memory and ensure the future and safety of her remaining family". A tribute on the fundraising site says: "Rachel tragically leaves behind her loving husband, Carl, and their three beloved sons — Alfie, Archie, and Ronnie. In this time of deep sorrow, we are reaching out to ask for your support in helping her family. "Any funds will be placed into a trust fund for her three young boys. In addition, the family has expressed their wish to donate a portion of the proceeds to a charity close to their hearts — one that supports individuals and families affected by ADHD. "Your generosity, no matter how big or small, will make a lasting difference and is deeply appreciated. Thank you for helping us give Rachel the beautiful farewell she deserves and for supporting her family during this heartbreaking time." The GoFundMe, which has a £5,000 target, has raised £2,400 at the time of writing. Following her death, Rachel's family said they would "treasure" the mum forever and thanked police who worked to locate her after she went missing. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The statement read: "As a family we would also like to offer our sincere thanks and appreciation to all the services and business that supported Cheshire Police and their officers during the search for Rachel. "Rachel, who was known to us as Helena, was a cherished member of our family. She was a guiding light whose strengths love, and devotion touched us all. "Her kindness was constant and her presence a strength to everyone she knew, a loving mother, wife, daughter and sister who can never be replaced but always present in our hearts. "Her absence leaves a space, but her smiles are a memory we will treasure for ever." The 38-year-old vanished without a trace from the Barnton area of Cheshire on Saturday, July 19. Her last reported sighting was at Sandiway Garage on the A556 at 3.50am where she was captured on CCTV buying wine and milk following a 45-minute run. Petrol station worker Issac Carolan, 19, previously told The Sun what the mum had bought that morning. He said: "I spoke to my colleague who had served her on Saturday morning. She bought milk and wine and jogged from 45 minutes away." Issac added: "But it didn't seem weird, she didn't seem disturbed or flustered." Police yesterday confirmed a body had been found in a lake in Oakmere during the search for the mum. Formal identification has since been carried out and police are now supporting her family. There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances, and a file is being prepared for the coroner. Cheshire Police said: "Rachel's family continue to be supported by specialist officers from Cheshire Police and they ask for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time." Rachel has been described as a "lovely" mum from Barnton in Cheshire. Barnton local Raj Kaur told The Sun she is a "a lovely clever lady" and "very active and very nice". A mum in the area added: "I knew her from the school and she was always pleasant - she has three boys at the school." You can donate to the GoFundMe by clicking here.


Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Rachel Booth's family share tragic update on her three young sons after body found
Rachel Booth, who was a mum of three, went missing on Saturday before her body was tragically discovered on Monday Friends and family of Rachel Booth have set up a fundraiser to support her family following the mum-of-three's tragic death. Her body was recovered from a lake in Oakmere on Monday after a days-long search by Cheshire Police, who deployed underwater divers and sniffer dogs in a desperate effort to find the 38-year-old. Rachel was last seen by her family in the early hours of Saturday morning in the Barnton area of Northwich. Now, those close to her have set up a GoFundMe, "to honour her memory and ensure the future and safety of her remaining family". A tribute on the fundraising site says: "Rachel tragically leaves behind her loving husband, Carl, and their three beloved sons — Alfie, Archie, and Ronnie. In this time of deep sorrow, we are reaching out to ask for your support in helping her family. "Any funds will be placed into a trust fund for her three young boys. In addition, the family has expressed their wish to donate a portion of the proceeds to a charity close to their hearts — one that supports individuals and families affected by ADHD. "Your generosity, no matter how big or small, will make a lasting difference and is deeply appreciated. Thank you for helping us give Rachel the beautiful farewell she deserves and for supporting her family during this heartbreaking time." The Gofundme page has raised £1,853 so far.